(Cnlumbia  MniuerHitg 
in  tl]e  (Eitg  of  Neuj  ^ork 

THE  LIBRARIES 


Bequest  of 

Frederic  Bancroft 
1860  -  1945 


'"'^-i  (yy  Samuel  J'^'"^" ' 


^^--7-1^ 


LIFE  ^ND  TIMES 


OF 


Rey.  Robert  Dobbins. 

TO  WHICH  IS  APPENDED 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES 

OF 

EEVS.  J.  W.  RAG  AI(  AND  W.  L.  DMLAP. 

By  CHARLES  CADDY, 

MINISTER  OF  THE  METHODIST  CHUBCH. 


He  died  in  a  good  old  age,  full  of  days,  riches  and  honor.— 1  Chbon. 
xxix.  28. 


PHILADELPHIA : 

J.  W.  DAXIGHADAY  &  CO.,  424  WALNUT  STREET. 

SPRINGFIELD,  0.,  A.  H.  BASSETT. 

1868. 


)^' 


4-   .  1^ 


9  -^P-  <^ 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1868,  by 

CHARLES  CADDY, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  in  and  for  the  Eastern  Dis- 
trict of  Pennsylvania. 


0 


-^ 

^ 


'J3 


DEDICATION. 
TO  THE  SENIOR  MINISTERS 

OF  THE 

METHODIST  CHURCH 

WITH  WHOM  THE  SUBJECT  OF  THESE  PAGES  WAS  IDENTIFIED 

IN- 
ADVOCATING  THE  PRINCIPLES  OF  ECCLESI- 
ASTICAL  LIBERTY; 

AND  TO  THE 

YOUNG  MINISTERS  OF  THE  SAME  DENOMINATION, 

TO  WHOM  HE  WAS  AN  AFFECTIONATE  FRIEND   AND  WISE 
COUNSELLOE, 

THIS  VOLUME  IS  RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED  BY 

THE  AUTHOR. 


PREFACE. 


Age,  connected  with  experience  and  mental 
culture,  is  generally  modest  and  unassuming. 
Especially  is  this  so  when  purity  of  life  is  the 
crowning  gem,  giving  to  age  its  chastened 
beauty,  to  experience  its  wonted  luster,  and  to 
the  cultivated  intellect  its  moral  greatness.  A 
spirit  thus  endowed  with  the  elements  of  natu- 
ral and  moral  worth,  is  very  liable  to  under- 
value its  own  power,  and  to  speak  with  becom- 
ing diffidence  of  its  own  efficiency  and  success. 
A  biographical  sketch  of  one  whose  life  was  in 
harmony  with  the  higher  law,  admitted  to  be 
true,  in  all  its  essentials,  by  the  one  whose  life 
it  proposes  to  furnish,  will,  in  the  general,  fall 
below  the  truth — seldom,  if  ever,  rising  above 
it.  The  facts  grouped  together  in  this  volume 
were  obtained  at  intervals  from  the  venerable 
preacher,  the  subject  of  this  book,  some  time 
previous  to  his  death,  and  the  manuscript  read 
to  him,  and  by  him  pronounced  true. 

So,  whatever  may  be  the  deficiencies  of  this 
volume  in  a  critical  point  of  view,  whether  in 

(5) 


6  PREFACE. 

connection  with  biographical  narration,  data, 
or  composition,  will  be  compensated,  in  part,  at 
least,  by  the  fact  that  what  is  here  written  is 
true.  Aged  men  almost  universally  fall  into 
an  error  with  regard  to  the  influence  of  age 
upon  the  mental  powers,  especially  the  power 
of  memory.  They  appear  to  think  that  when 
the  vigor  of  youth  has  passed  away,  and  they 
have  fallen  into  the  "  sere  and  yellow  leaf,"  and 
are  no  longer  adapted  to  the  active  services  of 
professional  life,  they  may  then  write  upon 
subjects  of  past  interest  for  their  own  entertain- 
ment and  the  benefit  of  mankind ;  but  experi- 
ence has  taught  them,  when  too  late,  that  they 
were  sadly  mistaken.  When  the  effort  to  re- 
produce is  made,  they  are  surprised  that  they 
remember  so  little.  The  very  best  gems  that 
were  drawn  from  the  mental  storehouse  in 
earlier  years  are  gone  beyond  recovery,  and 
the  very  best  effort  at  reproduction  is  almost 
fruitless. 

I  know  that  there  are  exceptions  to  this 
statement,,  but  they  are  rare;  and  the  excep- 
tions do  not  invalidate  the  general  truth — a 
truth  confirmed  by  the  testimony  of  age. 

Such  was  the  testimony  of  the  venerable 
divine  whose  life  we  propose  to  write,  as  effi- 
ciently as  the  material  at  command  wiU  enable 


PREFACE.  7 

US  to  do.  The  reader,  however,  will  not  be 
under  the  necessity  of  plodding  over  a  barren 
heath  in  reading  these  pages.  He  will  find 
ingots  of  gold  in  the  facts  presented.  He  will 
discover  mines  of  rare  value  as  he  traces  the 
history  of  a  rugged  intellect  battling  with  the 
adversities  of  life.  He  will  see  the  happy  effect 
and  final  triumph  of  success,  as  a  result  of  a 
persistent  effort  of  mind.  The  youth  of  our 
land,  who  enjoy  advantages  their  fathers  never 
knew,  may  here  learn  a  lesson  of  priceless 
value ;  the  aged,  who  linger  among  the  people 
of  another  generation,  may  trace  the  footsteps 
of  a  veteran  warrior,  and  be  interested  in  the 
perusal  of  these  pages. 

We  now  come,  with  a  willing  hand  and  a 
subdued  heart,  to  rear  this  little  monument  to 
the  memory  of  mental  and  nioral  worth.  At 
present  it  lies  in  silent  majesty  before  us.  We 
simply  desire  to  lift  it  up,  if  we  can.  It  is  a 
granite  shaft,  incomplete  in  detail,  it  may  be, 
for  some  of  its  finest  relief- work  has  been  so  far 
obliterated  by  the  hand  of  time  that  no  human 
eye  may  see  it;  but  the  light  of  the  coming 
future  will  bring  out  the  hidden  characters,  and 
reveal  the  perfection  of  outline,  with  all  its 
details,  in  the  full  blaze  and  brilliancy  of  the 
throne. 


8  PREFACE. 

/ 

We  send  this  volume  forth  with  a  like- 
ness engraved  from  an  ambrotype,  taken 
under  the  author's  supervision,  with  the  hope 
that  it  may  quicken  our  exertions,  elevate  our 
affections,  and  be  a  guiding  star,  subsidiary  to 
the  peerless  page  of  Inspiration,  until  we  are 
together  brought  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  favor 
and  fruition  of  God. 

C.  CADDY. 
Lima,  Ohio,  July  23,  1868. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Preliminary  Remarks — Ancestors — Births-Childhood — Character  of  his 
Mother — Her  Denominational  Prejudices — Listens  to  a  Sermon  hy  a 
Methodist  Minister — Her  Opinion  of  the  Sermon — Unites  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church — Family  Government — Influence  over 
her  Family — Early  Education  of  young  Robert — The  Chamber  of 
Prayer— Reflections. 


CHAPTER  11. 

The  Past  and  the  Present— Hlustrations— Limited  Educational  Advan- 
tages—A Striking  Contrast— Improvements  of  the  Present  Age  a 
Source  of  Interest — Limited  Facilities  for  Improvement  not  the  worst 
Feature  in  the  Case — Scarcity  of  Books — Had  to  depend  upon  a  Home 
Education — The  Importance  of  Mental  Efi"ort— Query— His  Manner  of 
Study— A  Rapid,  but  not  a  Careless  Reader— Nature's  Laws— Injury 
to  his  Sight. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Departure  from  Home — Absent  Eighteen  Years — The  Realities  of  Life — 
In  Bad  Company — Invited  by  a  Quaker  to  attend  Methodist  Meeting 
— Rev.  Jacob  Lurton — Rev.  Samuel  Tucker — Mirthfulness  in  Church 
— Convicting  Power — Great  Thoughts — Decision  of  Mind — Returns 
to  his  former  Wicke*  Practices  more  fully  than  ever — Marriage — 
Resolves  to  Reform — Unites  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church — 
Bishop  Asbury  proclaims  a  Fast— Attends  a  Prayer-Meeting— Con 
version-^Eeflectious. 


10  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  lY. 

Appointed  Class  Leader— Rev.  Daniel  Hitt— Rev.  William  Beanchamp 
—Rev.  Win.  Ross— Invited  to  lead  class— Interview  with  Mr.  Walker 
—Believer  in  a  Divine  call  to  the  Ministry— Removal— Rev.  Asa 
—Sliiiin— Polemical  disputatious  for  Mutual  Improvement— Anecdotes 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Shinn— Appoints  a  Prayer  MeotiLg— Preparations  of  the 
Heart— Description  of  the  Congregation— Reads  one  of  Wesley's 
Sermons- Extemporaneous  Sermon— Elfects 57—70 


CHAPTER  Y. 

Engaged  in  Trading— Blennerhassett's  Island— Mr.  Blennerhassett  and 
v^^ife—Death  of  Mr.  Dobbins'  Mother— Rev.  Mr.  Dewey— Impressions 
made  upon  Mr.  Dobbins  on  hearing  of  his  Mother's  death— Lorenzo 
Dow— Rev.  Mr.  Williamson— Rev.  Abbott  Godard— Confession  of 
David  Beckett,  a  man  condemned  to  die— His  execution— Quotations 
—Camp  Meeting— Sermon— Quotation— Prayer  of  a  Sea  Captain— 
His  Conversion 71 — 84 


CHAPTER  YI. 

Removal— Ordained  to  Deacon's  Orders  by  Bi.shop  Asbury— To  Elder's 
Orders  by  Bishop  McKendree— Removal— Great  Reformation— The  boy 
Henry  Bascom— Engaged  in  a  Trading  Tour— An  affray  at  Natchez- 
Mr.  Dobbins'  Sermon— His  views  endorsed  by  a  Natchez  Editor- 
Conversation  with  a  Slave— Attends  a  Camp-meeting— Description 
of  the  Ground— Services— Failure  in  Trade— Involved  in  Debt- 
Starts  for  Home— Confined  by  Sickness  in  Natchez— A  Slave  Family — 
Toney 's  Story — Arrival  Home S.5^96 


CHAPTER  YIL 

Sells  his  Farm  to  pay  his  Debts— Rents  a  Farm— Removal  to  White 
Oak— Buys  a  Farm— Death  of  his  Wife— Travels  a  Circuit— Second 
Marriage— Embarrassed  on  account  of  Security  Debts — Sent  to  the 
Legislature    of    Ohio— Political   Preferences— Removal    to    Fayette 


CONTENTS.  11 

Connty,  Ohio — Settles  five  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Washington  C^ 
H. — Urged  to  make  Stump  Speeches,  but  declines — Preaches  a  Sermon 
in  Wilmington,  Ohio,  to  his  constituents,  in  which  he  points  out 
their  duty  as  American  citizens — Reflections — His  Influence  in  the 
Ohio  Legislature — Church  Government — Union  Societies — He  is 
Chairman  of  a  Union  Society — Rev.  A.  McGuire — Revs.  J.  Flood,  sr., 
and  J.  Dalbey,  sr. — Mr.  Dobbins  makes  application  to  the  proper 
authorities  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  a  letter  of  his 
standing — Attends  the  Second  Session  of  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference 
of  the  Associated  Methodist  Churches — A  Call  from  the  West- 
Appointed  to  Concord  Circuit— Rev.  A.  H.  Bassett — Anecdote — 
Reflections 97—110 


CHAPTER  YIII. 

Re-appointed  to  Concord  Circuit— Success — Preaching  in  a  Saw  .Mill- 
Rev.  Benj.  Ryan — Appointed  to  Highland  Circuit,  with  B.  Ryan, 
Assistant — Division  of  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference — Traveling  on 
Concord  Circuit — Local  Itinerancy — Reflection!; — Elected  to  the  Presi- 
dency of  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference — Letter — Appointed  to  Xenia 
and  Rehoboth  Circuit,  with  Rev.  I.  Edwards  as  Assistant — Re-ap- 
pointed to  the  same  Circuit,  with  Rev.  0.  P.  Stephens,  Assistant — 
Appointed  to  Clarksville  Circuit — Appointed  to  the  Superintendency 
of  Sugar  Creek  Circuit — Extract  from  a  Letter — Cholera — A  Fast 
Day  appointed  by  President  Taylor — Fast  Day  Services — Rev. 
Daniel  Riley — A  Sermon  by  Mr.  Riley — His  Character — Death. 

111—125 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Mr.  Dobbins  requested  and  obtained  a  Superannuated  Relation  to  the 
Conference— Reflections— Quotations — Death  of  Rev.  Sanford  H. 
Euans— Funeral  Services  at  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference,  on  the 
Death  of  Mr.  Euans— Continued  Labors— Quotations  from  Letters — 
Death  of  Mr.  Dobbins'  Daughter  Eliza— Poem  by  Mrs.  A.  H.  B. 

126—138 


12  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  X. 

Meeting  in  the  Old  Union  Chapel  In  Fayette  County,  Ohio — Labors ( 
wiiile  sustaining  a  Superannuated  Relation  to  the  Conference- 
Farewell  Exhortation — Sickness — Note  to  the  Editor  of  the  Church 
Paper — Interviews  with  Mr.  Henry  Burnett,  Esq. — State  of  his  Mind 
— Illustrations — Mr.  Dobbins'  Views  of  the  Dutie.*?  of  American  Citi- 
zens— Particularly  interested  in  certain  passages  of  Scripture — Ilia 
Death — Burial  — Tomb  —  Conference  Resolutions  —  Reminiscence- 
Funeral  at  the  Old  Union  Chapel— Services  at  Conference  by  Rev. 
William  B.  Evans 139—158 


CHAPTER  XL 

Truthfulness  of  our  Narrative— Mr.  Dobbins  did  not  profess  to  be  an 
Educated  Man— He  was  a  Diligent  Student — An  Able  Defender  of 
the  Christian  Scriptures  against  the  Attacks  of  Infidelity — Possessed 
an  Analytical  Mind — Instructive  in  Private  Conversation — Plain  and 
simple  in  the  Pulpit — Mental  Independence — Social  Character — Hia 
House  a  House  of  Prayer — He  was  the  Young  Preacher's  Friend — 
Manner  in  the  Pulpit — Never  played  the  Orator — Made  no  preten- 
sions to  an  ornate  style — Logic,  rather  than  Rhetoric,  his  forte — Faith- 
ful in  reproving  Sin  from  the  Pulpit — Personal  Appearance — Mrs. 
Dobbins — Conclusion 157 — 170 


SKETCHES  OF  REY.  JOAB  W.  RAGAN. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Preface — Parentage— Childhood— Surroundings— Reared  by  Pious  Ptu 
reUits — Removal  of  his  Father  and  Family  to  Beaver  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1806 — Evinces  a  strong  desire  for  the  acquisition  of 
knowledge — Determination  to  excel — A  pleasure  to  see  others  make 
an  effort  in  the  Path  of  Improvement 175—182 


CONTENTS.  13 


CHAPTER  11. 

Determination  to  be  a  Christian — Conversion — Thoughts  of  the  Minis- 
try— Incident — Preparation  for  the  Ministry — Received  into  the 
Traveling  Connection  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  ap- 
pointed io  Brunswick  Circuit — Appointed  to  Mansfield  Circuit — 
Failure  of  Health — Ordained  Deacon — Retires  to  Wooster — Engaged 
in  the  Study  of  the  Hebrew  and  Greek  Languages — Ordained  Elder 
and  appointed  to  Sandusky  Circuit 183—187 


CHAPTER  III. 

Reform  Movements — Appointed  to  Mad  River  Circuit — Letter  to  his 
Presiding  Elder — Preaching  in  the  vicinity  of  Pittsburgh — Received 
into  the  Ohio  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  and 
appointed  to  Louisville.  Kentucky — Marriage — Appointed  to  Zanes- 
ville,  Ohio — Appointed  to  Cambridge  Circuit — Popularity  of  his  Min- 
istry— Interesting  scenes  connected  with  his  last  illness — His  Death 
—Funeral — Conference  Resolutions — Remarks 188 — 207 


•♦>- 


BIOGRAPHY  OF  KEY.  W.  L.  DMLAP. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Preliminary  Observations — Early  Life  of  Mr.  Dnnlap — Character  of 
his  Mother — Removal  to  the  West — Death  of  his  Father— Return  of 
his  Mother — Death  of  his  Mother — Learns  the  Millwright  trade  with 
Mr.  James  Barnes— Amiable  Character  of  Mr.  Dnnlap— Manifested  a 
talent  for  Preaching  when  a  Boy 211 — ^227 


14  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  11. 

Mental  Conflicts — Preparation  for  the  Ministry — Enters  Green  Acad- 
emy—Failnre  of  Health— Licensed  to  Preach — Recommended  to  the 
Pittsburgh  Annual  Conference — Assistant  on  Washington  Circuit — 
Peculiar  Mental  DiflSculty — Returns  Home  greatly  discouraged- 
Mental  Conflicts 22&— 233 


CHAPTER  III. 

Receives  an  Appointment  as  Assistant  to  Rev.  John  Wilson  on  Mus- 
kingum Circuit — Reflections — Assistant  to  Rev.  P.  T.  Laishley  on 
Middletown  Circuit — Preaches  at  a  Camp-meeting — Appointed  to 
Cambridge  Circuit  with  Rev.  John  Burns — Popularity  as  a  Preacher 
— Rev.  Samuel  Thompson — Appointed  to  the  Superintendency  of 
Monongahela  Circuit  with  Rev.  William  Ross  as  Assistant — Decli- 
ning Health — An  Address  to  the  young  people  at  Shepherd's  Meeting- 
House — Illness — Receives  a  visit  from  Rev.  Asa  Shinn — Affecting 
Interview  between  Messrs.  Shinn  and  Dunlap — Prayer  in  the  Death- 
chamber — Dr.  Laidley — The  last  words  of  Mr.  Dunlap — Quotation — 
Funeral  Sermon  by  Mr.  Shinn — Obituary — Personal  Appearance  of 
Mr.  Dunlap — Moral  Characteristics — Religious  Character — Mr.  Dun- 
lap as  a  Student— Character  as  a  Preacher— Reflections 234—250 


INTRODUCTION. 

BY  THE  REV.  ANCEL  H.  BASSETT, 

AGENT  OF  THE  METHODIST  BOOK  CONCERN,  SPBINGFIELD,  OHIO. 

The  biograpliy  of  distinguished  men  lias  ever 
been  esteemed  a  valuable  branch  of  literature. 
Especially  is  the  record  of  the  lives  of  holy  men 
of  God  found  to  be  highly  instructive  and  useful. 
Herein  is  verified  the  scriptural  maxim,  "He 
being  dead  yet  speaketh."  His  pure  example 
still  shines — his  chaste  influence  still  wields  its 
way  for  good.     His  works  do  follow  him. 

Each  religious  denomination  prizes  the  pub- 
lished lives  of  its  eminent  men.  Copies  are 
usually  found  in  the  families  of  the  people 
whom  they  have  served,  and  whose  religious 
organization  they  have  defended  and  labored  to 
build  up.  The  branch  of  Christians  known  as 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  has  had,  in  its 
brief  career,  a  due  proportion  of  men  eminent 
for  talent  and  usefulness  in  their  day,  who  are 
now  no  more.  But  it  is  a  painful  fact  that  the 
biographies  of  these  men  remain  unwritten. 
Snethen,  and  Shinn,  and  others   '^  of  whom  the 

(15) 


16  INTRODUCTION. 

world  was  not  worthy,"  have  passed  away,  but 
no  volume  is  issued  to  perpetuate  the  record  of 
their  eminent  and  useful  career.  Their  precious 
memory  is  neglected,  and  the  rising  genera- 
tion knows  comparatively  little  of  them.  This 
circumstance  is  to  be  regretted.  Rev  G.  Brown 
has  done  well  to  prepare  and  publish  his  satis- 
factory and  useful  Autobiography. 

The  author  of  the  following  work  has  done 
a  valuable  service  towards  supplying  the  desid- 
eratum above  referred  to.  He  has  produced 
and  placed  on  record  an  outline  of  the  life  of  a 
valiant  man  of  God,  Rev.  Robert  Dobbins,  one 
of  the  early  ministers  of  the  Methodist  Protest- 
ant Church.  Personally  intimate  with  him  in 
his  life-time,  he  availed  himself  of  the  best  facil- 
ities to  obtain  facts  of  interest,  which  he  has 
faithfully  sketched.  We  think  the  reader  will 
find  that  he  has  done  this  service  well.  "We 
consider  him  entitled  to  the  commendation  and 
thanks  of  the  church,  and  of  the  community 
who  esteemed  so  highly  the  venerable  subject 
of  this  volume. 

Nearly  forty  years  ago,  the  writer  of  this 
Introductory  Sketch  became  acquainted  with 
Father  Dobbins,  as  he  was  familiarly  called. 
It  providentially  occurred  that  in  the  outset  of 
his  itinerant  career,  in  1830,  he  was  for  a  time 


TNTRODUCTIO]S'.  17 

placed  under  the  oversight  of  Mr.  D.,  who 
directed  his  labors  and  counseled  him  in  his 
inexperience.  His  kindness  and  his  sage  advice 
were  made  a  blessing  to  him,  and  they  cannot 
be  forgotten  while  life  lasts.  Concord  Circuit, 
then  so  called,  included,  in  whole  or  in  part,  the 
counties  of  Clinton,  Fayette,  Madison,  Green  and 
Clarke,  in  Ohio.  As  yet,  but  few  classes  had 
been  organized,  and  the  circuit  had  yet  to  be 
formed.  The  country  was  then  mostly  new, 
having  in  some  parts  extensive  prairies,  and  in 
others  large  tracts  in  forest.  The  good  super- 
intendent directed  his  junior  to  many  points  in 
the  settlements  and  villages  of  the  surrounding 
country,  at  considerable  distances,  to  persons 
who,  he  presumed,  would  sympathize  with  us, 
in  view  of  establishing  appointments  and  form- 
ing a  circuit.  Prejudices  against  the  new 
movement  were  to  be  encountered,  and  some 
opposition ;  but  wherever  the  hoy  preacher  went, 
he  had  but  to  say  that  Father  Dobbins  had  sent 
him,  and  this  gave  him  full  passport  to  the 
houses  and  hearts  of  the  people,  and  usually 
procured  him  appointments ;  for  every  where  his 
very  name  was  revered,  and  he  was  by  all 
classes  regarded  as  an  apostle  of  the  Truth,  as 
an  angel  in  human  flesh.  If  "  a  good  name  is 
better   than   precious   ointment,"    how  vastly 


18  INTRODUCTION. 

important  is  it  for  a  minister  to  be,  in  character 
and  standing,  "of  good  report,"  and  to  be 
"  unblamable  "  and  "  without  rebuke."  Before 
such  a  minister,  the  mouths  of  gainsayers  are 
ever  stopped.  Such  a  one  was  Father  Dobbins. 
We  believe  he  had  no  human  enemy,  and 
against  him  the  enemy  of  souls  had  no  power. 

The  writer  thinks  he  never  knew  a  more 
unselfish  man  than  Eobert  Dobbins.  Little  in 
his  own  estimation,  he  desired  not  the  praise  of 
men,  nor  craved  to  be  preferred  before  others. 
Thus  humbling  himself,  he  was  "exalted,"  in 
attaining  that  which  he  sought  not;  for  his 
brethren,  and  all  who  knew  him,  delighted  to 
honor  him  and  do  him  reverence.  In  his  inter- 
course and  co-operation  with  his  ministerial 
brethren,  he  always  desired  them  to  do  well, 
and  to  preach  well.  And  he  rejoiced  in  their 
success,  not  desiring  to  have  the  reputation  of 
excelling  them.  His  meek.  Christian  spirit 
commanded  the  love  and  esteem  of  all ;  and 
we  have  sometimes  thought  him  a  remarkable 
exception  to  the  maxim,  "A  prophet  is  not 
without  honor,  save  in  his  own  country." 
Those  of  Christ's  ministers  who  observe  the 
lesson  in  honor  to  "prefer  one  another,"  and  in 
love  to  "  serve  one  another,"  and  who  especially, 
in  all  things,  aim  to  honor  Christ,  are  in  the  way 


INTRODUCTION.  19 

to  enjoy  the  esteem  of  their  fellows,  and  to 
secure  also  "the  honor  that  cometh  from  God 
only."  May  the  mantle  of  our  venerable  friend 
rest  upon  his  surviving  brethren,  and  may  the 
influence  of  his  holy  example  be  long  felt ! 

The  writer  could  enter  into  reminiscences 
which  might  be  appreciated,  but  space  forbids. 
And  it  would  not  be  right  that  he  should  detain 
the  reader  from  the  interesting  volume  which 
follows.  Let  it  be  read  and  re-read.  Let  its 
pubWcation  be  encouraged  and  sustained  by  a 
general  purchase  of  the  books.  Let  them  have 
a  rapid  sale.  Let  the  author  and  the  publish- 
ers realize  a  success.  And  let  us  henceforth 
have  a  Biographical  Literature  in  the  Methodist 
Church.  The  encouragement  given  to  this  work 
may  open  the  way  for  other  volumes  of  similar 
character  A.  H.  B. 

June  12,  1868. 


LIFE  AND  TIMES 

OF 

KEY.  ROBERT  DOBBINS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Preliminary  Remarks— Ancestors— Birth— Childhood— Character  of  his 
Mother— Her  Denominational  Prejudices— Listens  to  a  Sermon  by  a 
Methodist  Minister— Her  Opinion  of  the  Sermon— Unites  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church— Family  Government — Influence  over 
her  Family— Early  Education  of  young  Robert— The  Chamber  of 
Prayer — Reflections. 

THE  places  that  gave  birth  to  the  distin- 
guished dead,  and  the  interests  and  asso- 
ciations that  clustered  around  their  early  infancy, 
may  be  matters  of  minor  importance  in  them- 
selves, and  yet  the  influence  of  association 
invests  the  cradle  of  genius  with  a  romantic 
luster,  exerting  an  uncontrollable  influence 
upon  our  minds  and  hearts.  A  beloved  friend 
of  the  writer,  whose  image  lingers  in  the  cham- 
ber of  the  heart,  had  occasion  to  say  that  ^'  if 
a  few  such  men  as  Walter  Scott  had  lived,  all 
Scotland  would  have  been  classic  ground." 
This  sentiment  is  simply  an  illustration  of  silent 

(21) 


22  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROliERT   DOBBIXS. 

impression  made  by  association,  and,  to  some 
extent,  gives  character  to  sentiment  and  affection. 

This  truism  justifies  the  biographer  in  writing 
the  early  as  well  as  the  later  life  of  his  subject. 

We  now  propose  to  communicate  the  few 
facts  we  have  at  command  relative  to  the 
ancestry  and  early  life  of  Rev.  Robert  Dobbins. 
Ireland  and  Scotland  are  the  places  that  gave 
birth  to  his  ancestors.  Robert  Dobbins,  Sr., 
his  paternal  grandfather,  was  born  in  Ireland, 
in  the  county  of  Down,  and  Daniel  McClean, 
his  grandfather  by  the  mother's  side,  was  born 
on  the  highlands  of  Scotland,  and  came  to  the 
American  colonies  in  the  year  IT-il. 

His  father,  William  Dobbins,  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  by  profession  a  cabinet 
maker,  and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years. 
His  mother,  Mary  Ann  Dobbins,  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  her  fifty-third  year. 
His  father  and  mother  were  Presbyterians,  and 
the  parents  of  eleven  children — four  sons  and 
seven  daughters — all  of  whom,  I  believe,  are 
now  dead.  Robert,  the  second  born,  the 
subject  of  these  pages,  first  saw  the  light  in 
Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  20, 
1768.  Of  his  early  childhood  days  we  know, 
and,  therefore,  can  say  but  little.  The  day- 
dreams of  his  childhood,  lighting  up  his  counte- 


HIS  ANCESTRY  AND  BIRTH.  23 

nance  with  innocent  joy,  we  may  never  know ; 
the  tremulous  tones  of  his  mother's  voice  vibra- 
ting upon  his  ear,  and  touching  the  tender 
chords  of  his  beating  heart,  as  he  is  gently  led 
to  the  first  altar  of  childhood  to  repeat  his 
aightly  orison  before  retiring  to  his  trundle- 
bed,  we  were  not  permitted  to  hear;  but  we 
may  easily  imagine  the  appropriateness  of  an 
application  of  the  following  lines  by  "Amelia;" 

"  How  touching  'tis  to  see  him  clasp 
His  dimpled  hands  in  prayer, 
And  raise  his  little  rosy  face 
With  reverential  air ! 
How  simple  is  his  eloquence — 
How  soft  his  accents  fall, 
When  pleading  witjj  the  King  of  kings 
To  love  and  bless  us  all ! 
And  when  from  prayer  he  bounds  away 
With  innocence  and  joy, 
Tlie  blessing  of  a  smiling  God 
Goes  with  the  sinless  boy." 

The  early  associations  that  clustered  around 
his  forest  home,  and  the  bloom  and  beauty  of 
the  opening  spring-time,  awakening  in  his 
young  imagination  emotions  of  wonder  and 
admiration,  and  leading  him  up  ''through 
nature  to  nature's  God,"  are  away  in  the 
distant  past,  and  we  must  be  contented  to 
imagine  what  we  may  not  be  permitted  to  hioio. 

We  have,  however,  the  best  authority  for 
saying  that  his   mother  was  a'  woman  of  rare 


24  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

mental  endowments,  an  excellent  understand- 
ing and  liberal  views,  though  of  limited  educa- 
tion. She,  with  her  husband,  resided  for  a  time 
in  the  State  of  New  York,  and  being  reared 
under  the  influence  of  the  Presbyterian  faith 
from  early  infancy,  and  Methodism  being,  at 
that  time,  in  comparative  incipiency,  it  is  not  a 
matter  of  surprise  that  she  should  be  prejudiced 
against  the  latter  denomination.  The  systematic 
forms,  scrupulous  exactness  in  an  observance 
of  the  Holy  Sabbath,  and  critical  punctuality 
in  attending  to  all  the  means  of  grace,  which 
were  characteristic  of  the  church  of  her  early 
choice,  would,  in  her  estimation,  suffer  by  a 
comparison  with  the  new  sect  that  was  every 
where  spoken  against. 

In  process  of  time,  this  excellent  lady  had 
an  opportunity  of  hearing  a  sermon  by  a 
Methodist  minister.  The  fall  of  man  and  its 
consequences  appear  to  have  been  the  subject 
of  discourse,  and  toward  the  close  of  the  sermon 
the  preacher  enforced  with  pathos  and  power 
the  importance  of  experimental  religion.  This 
sermon  made  a  powerful  impression  upon  her 
mind.  As  soon  as  she  returned  home,  her 
eldest  daughter  asked  her  "  what  she  thought 
of  the  sermon."  She  replied,  ''I  have  heard 
the  truth,  if  I  never  heard  it  before.     These," 


CHARACTER  OF   HIS  MOTHER.  25 

said  she,  "  are  God's  people,  and  they  are  my 
people."  A  revolution  was  wrought  in  her 
spiritual  being,  and  from  this  time  forth  she 
lived  in  communion  with  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church. 

In  this  transition  from  one  ecclesiastical 
denomination  to  another,  she  did  not  under- 
value and  persecute  the  church  of  her  early 
years.  This  illiberal  disposition  was  not  in  her 
nature.  She  simply  preferred  the  latter  form  of 
Christianity,  as  being  better  adapted  to  her  spirit- 
ual being.  We  do  not  over-estimate  the  quali- 
ties of  this  lady  when  we  say  that  the  authentic 
account  which  has  come  down  to  us  justifies  us 
in  the  belief  that  she  was  a  model  Christian 
mother.  In  the  government  of  her  family  she 
was  rarely  equaled,  perhaps  never  excelled. 

She  was  a  good  disciplinarian,  not  governed 
by  momentary  impulses  in  the  government  of 
her  household,  but  controlled  her  children  by 
the  force  of  reason,  and  arguments  drawn  from 
the  higher  law.  With  such  a  mind  and  heart, 
it  is  not  surprising  that  her  moral  power  and 
influence  were  so  efficient.  Young  Eobert 
received  the  rudiments  of  a  religious  education 
from  his  mother.  He  was  taught  the  "  Lord's 
Prayer"  at  that  first  altar  of  childhood,  the 
mother's   knee.      Lessons   of  instruction   were 


26  LIFE  OF   REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

often  given  him  by  his  mother,  when  none 
but  the  eye  of  God  saw  them. 

See  the  sweet-spirited  matron  and  her  son 
in  the  quietude  of  the  chamber  of  prayer,  while 
listening  seraphs  bend  to  catch  the  vesper  tones 
of  love  as  they  arise  from  a  spirit  baptized  with 
the  dews  of  Heaven !  For  a  moment  all  is  silent 
as  the  quietude  that  reigned  on  high,  so  graphi- 
cally described  by  John  in  his  Apocalyptic 
vision.  It  is  not  the  silence  of  sorrow,  but  the 
majestic  stillness  that  precedes  the  out-flowing 
)f  a  soul  stirred  to  its  utmost  depths  with  emo- 
tions that  none  but  a  mother's  heart  can  know. 

The  stillness  is  broken.    Listen  1 

"  Who  made  you  ?" 

''God." 

"Who  redeemed  you  ?" 

''The  Lord  Jesus." 

"  Who  sanctifies  us  ?" 

"  The  Holy  Spirit." 

These  and  similar  simple  questionings  over, 
she  bows  in  prayer  with  her  little  boy,  and 
invokes  the  divine  blessing  upon  him,  while  his 
throbbing  heart  and  earnest  eye  bespeak  the 
mighty  thoughts  within,  and 

"  Heaven  comes  down  their  souls  to  greet, 
And  glory  crowns  the  mercy-seat." 

With  this  moral  training  it  is  not  a  matter 


RELIGIOUS  TRAINING.  27 

of  surprise  that  the  foundation  was  laid  for  that 
moral  worth  which  was  so  bright  and  beautiful 
in  after  years. 

Dear  reader,  you  will  indulge  us  in  the 
remark  that,  ''  A  mother's  prayers  and  a 
mother's  tears  are  of  priceless  value."  The 
words,  "My  mother,"  fall  with  sweet  and 
gentle  power  upon  the  soul  of  the  stalwart  man 
of  fifty  years,  as  well  as  upon  the- spirit  of  the 
youth  of  eighteen  as  he  goes  forth  upon  the 
stage  of  active  life.  My  young  friend,  you, 
who  now  read  this  page,  remember  that  you 
have  but  one  mother;  remember  her  tears  of 
affection,  her  painful  anxieties  for  your  welfare, 
her  watchings  and  solicitude  for  your  happiness, 
her  nightly  vigils  when  the  pain  of  your  throb- 
bing, fevered  brow  confined  you  to  your  bed. 

Remember,  too,  that  when  that  loved  one 
''sleeps  the  sleep  that  knows  no  v/aking,"  every 
unkind  word,  every  disobedient  act,  and  every 
manifestation  of  fretful  impatience  towards  her, 
will  come  rushing  up  from  the  store-house  of 
snemory,  and  blight  the  budding  blossoms  of 
iiope  in  your  soul,  as  you  go  out  upon  the  stage 
)f  life  to  battle  with  the  difl&culties  connected 
with  your  life-work. 

No  wonder  that  the  grave  of  a  sainted  mother 
is  a  consecrated  spot ;  no  wonder  that  the  birds 


2S  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

sing  more  sweetly  near  her  tomb,  than  in  any 
other  spot  in  all  the  consecrated  ground;  no 
wonder  that  the  vesper  hymn  near  that  mound 
of  earth  sounds  as  soft  and  sweet,  as  that  which 
angels  use.  It  is  a  mother^s  grave.  Let  her  image 
hang  in  the  hall  of  thine  heart ;  let  affection's 
wreath  be  ever  green;  embalm  her  memory 
with  a  tear;  and  whea  the  sunset  of  life  throws 
its  golden  beams  upon  thy  pathway,  may  it  be 
the  prelude  to  an  ever-enduring  association 
with  loved  ones  in  Heaven ! 


THE  PAST  AND  THE  PRESENT.       29 


CHAPTER  II. 

The  Past  and  the  Present— Illustrations— Limited  Educational  Advan- 
tages—A Striking  Contrast— Improvements  of  the  Present  age  a  Source 
of  Interest — Limited  Facilities  for  Improvement  not  the  worst  feature 
in  the  Case— Scarcity  of  Books— Had  to  depend  upon  a  Home  Educa- 
tion—The Importance  of  Mental  Effort— Query— His  Manner  of  Study 
—A  Rapid,  but  not  a  careless  Keader — Nature's  Laws— Injury  to  his 
Sight. 

THE  past  and  the  present  furnish  a  striking 
contrast  in  the  various  departments  of 
science  and  art.  The  rapid  progress  made  in 
connection  with  the  physical  sciences  is  well 
known. 

In  astronomical  investigations,  geological 
researches,  and  in  connection  with  all  practical 
interests,  the  present  indicates  a  practical  pro- 
gress of  centralized  thought  unknown  to  our 
fathers.  The  improvements  of  the  present  age 
startle  the  beholder;  and  before  the  cessation 
of  excitement  awakened  by  an  inspection  of 
one  object  of  interest,  another  development  of 
genius  more  astonishing  still  arrests  our  atten- 
tion, and  invites  our  thought.  The  present  is 
an  age  of  literary,  mechanical  and  benevolent 
progress.  Men  of  thought  have  taken  high 
vantage  ground  in  these  several  connections 
Progress  is  the  watch-word. 


30  LIFE  OF   Ri:V.  ROBERT    DOlUilNS. 

Wherever  \vc  turn  our  eyes,  we  see  this  motto 
standing  out  in  bold  and  impressive  relief.  If 
we  look  into  the  halls  of  seience,  with  all  their 
wealth  of  practical  appliances,  we  see  written 
upon  their  classic  walls  Progress  ;  if  we  go  into 
the  studio  of  the  sculptor,  or  the  gallery  of  the 
painter,  the  chisel  of  the  one,  and  the  brush  of 
the  other,  proclaim  alike  the  sentiment  Progress  ; 
if  we  look  into  the  several  departments  of 
benevolent  enterprise,  the  ear  is  greeted  and 
the  heart  charmed  by  the  captivating  motto,  Pro- 
gress. Some  may  feel  inclined  to  doubt  the 
latter  statement,  and  if  measured  by  a  select 
local  standard,  the  doubt  might  well  be  enter- 
tained ;  but  when  we  take  a  survey  of  the  great 
field  of  benevolent  enterprise,  we  are  encour- 
aged, not  only  by  the  munificent  benefactions 
of  the  highly  favored,  but  also  in  the  growing 
interest  manifested  for  the  welfare  of  humanity 
by  the  Christian  world.  But  to  return  to  our 
main  design :  we  remark  that  it  is  apparent  to 
all,  that  there  is  a  marked  contrast  between  the 
past  and  present  with  respect  to  facilities  for 
mental  improvement.  The  rude  log  school- 
house  of  the  past  forms  a  striking  contrast 
with  the  beautifully  painted  and  comfortably 
arranged  school-room  of  the  present.  TJien, 
fool's-cap  windows,  through  which  the  willing 


THE  PAST  AND  THE  PRESENT.       31 

sunliglit  was  wont  to  pour  its  rays  for  tlie  bene- 
fit of  the  rural  scholar  were  common ;  nowy 
this  primitive  invention  is  superseded  by  some- 
thing more  permanent  and  better  adapted  to 
personal  convenience  and  comfort  Tkeu^  an 
ample  fire-place,  monopolizing  one  end  of  the 
rude  structure,  before  which  the  big  and  •  little 
ones,  arrayed  in  linsey-wolsey,would  gather,  after 
a  two  or  three  miles'  walk,  to  warm  their  half- 
frozen  feet,  was  not  uncommon;  now,  the  advan- 
tages in  this  connection  are  patent  to  all.  Then^ 
a  rude  slab,  supported  by  pins  in  the  log  wall, 
formed  the  writing-desk  of  the  future  man  and 
the  coming  house-wife ;  now^  even  the  improve- 
ments in  this  connection  are  being  laid  aside, 
and  the  latest  patent  eagcrl}^  sought,  and  money 
lavishly  paid  from  the  public  treasury  to  meet 
the  demands  of  the  age,  Tlien^  the  seats  were  in 
harmony  with  the  desks,  sufiiciently  light  and 
portable  for  practical  purposes,  and  yet  heavy 
enough  to  bar  out  the  master  on  holidays ;  but 
now^  the  student  has  no  right  to  complain, 
but  enjoys  comparative  comfort  while  passing 
through  an  incipient  course  of  preparatory  in- 
struction. 

"We  rejoice  in  these  improvements  in  connec- 
tion with  educational  interests,  and  we  cannot 
feel  too  deeply  interested  for  the  education  of 


32  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

the  ivhoh:  man  ;  his  moral,  as  well  as  his  intel- 
lectual nature,  should  be  trained  for  usefulness 
on  earth  and  happiness  in  heaven.  It  is  unfor- 
tunate that  in  our  own  and  other  lands  the 
education  of  the  heart  is  so  much  neglected. 
Every  effort  is  made  to  store  the  mind  with  the 
philosophies  of  the  age,  while  the  heart  remains 
like  a  neglected  garden,  uncultivated,  unim- 
proved. And  as  a  result  of  this  defective  edu- 
cation, we  have  skeptical  philosophers  in  our 
midst,  ever  ready  to  "  speak  evil  of  the  things 
that  they  understand  not;"  and  the  Apostle 
assures  us  that  such  ''shall  utterly  perish  in 
their  own  corruption."  Much  has  been  said 
concerning  the  supremacy  of  intellect,  its  God- 
like nature — that  it  ought  to  control  man's 
lower  being ;  truths  which  few  are  disposed  to 
deny.  We  may,  however,  institute  the  inquiry, 
and  ask,  Is  it  so  ?  With  that  class  of  humanity 
who  have  not  the  fear  of  God  before  their  eyes, 
is  it  true  that  intellect  governs?  Does  an 
enlightened  judgment  control?  Are  such  per- 
sons governed  by  the  clearest  convictions  of 
their  own  minds  ?  Alas !  the  fearful  negative, 
Ko!  No!  is  heard  where'er  we  look.  The 
testimony  of  Scripture,  corroborated  by  obser- 
vation, is,  that  the  God-like  intellect  of  man  is 
controlled  by  a  perverted  animal  nature.     The 


THE  PAST  AND  THE  PRESENT.       33 

spectacle  is  humiliating,  it  is  true,  to  see  a 
splendid  mind  under  the  influence  of  a  high 
state  of  literary  culture,  that  should  hold  the 
reins  of  government  and  control  the  whole 
man,  become  a  willing  vassal  to  a  low,  degra- 
ded moral  nature.     But  so  it  is. 

The  untamed  lion  in  the  heart  claims  and 
and  holds  full  possession  of  the  entire  man, 
while  the  intellect,  with  all  its  boasted  wisdom 
and  splendid  attainments,  is  davih  before  the 
potent  enemy.  Men  love  sin,  and  by  this  love 
they  are  controlled ;  hence  it  is  a  truism,  that 
''  A  man  with  the  talents  of  an  angel  may  be  a 
fool."  The  inspired  page  points  directly  to  this 
grand  difficulty  in  such  passages  as  the  follow- 
ing :  "  The  fool  hath  said  in  his  heart,  there  is 
no  God."  "  The  heart  is  deceitful  above  all 
things,  and  desperately  wicked."  "  With  the 
Ibeart,  man  belie veth  unto  righteousness."  "  My 
son,  give  me  thy  heart"  There  is  little  hope 
for  man  without  a  chang^e  of  heart. 

o 

We  need  the  Spirit  of  God  to  impress  the 
truth  upon  the  mind,  so  that  truth  may  find  its 
way  through  the  intellect  to  man's  moral  being, 
and  so  his  whole  nature  undergo  a  thorough 
transformation,  for  if  "any  man  be  in  Christ, 
he  is  a  netu  creature ;  old  things  have  passed 
away,  and  behold!  all  things  have  become  new." 
3 


34  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 

We  rejoice  in  unmistakable  indications  of  a 
growing  interest  in  connection  with  the  educa- 
tion of  the  whole  man — mental,  moral  and 
physical.  Christians  throughout  our  land 
appear  to  be  awake  to  the  fact  that  the  edu- 
cation of  the  heart  as  well  as  the  intellect,  is  the 
hope  of  the  church  and  of  the  world.  If  we 
may  venture  to  speak  denominationally,  we 
would  say,  that  one  of  the  most  hopeful  signs 
in  connection  with  the  Methodist  Church,  may 
be  seen  in  our  own  Adrian  and  Henry  Colhges, 
both  under  the  control  of  Christian  Presidents, 
from  whom  we  have  encouraging  reports  of 
religious  prosperity  in  the  institutions  over 
which  these  competent  Christian  gentlemen  pre- 
side. And  we  indulge  the  hope  that  the  time 
is  not  far  distant  when  mental  improvement 
and  baptismal  blessings  will  be  happily  blended 
and  fully  enjoyed  by  every  student  in  every 
temple  of  learning  in  the  land. 

The  limited  facilities  for  mental  improvement, 
to  which  we  have  referred  on  a  previous  page, 
is  a  subject  worthy  of  thought  by  the  student 
of  the  present  day.  And  as  the  aspirant  for 
literary  honors  looks  upon  the  past  and  present 
in  the  light  of  contrast,  we  may  reasonably 
suppose  it  would  have  a  tendency  to  quicken 
exertion  and  give  energy  to  faith.     It  has  been 


THE  PAST  AND  THE  PRESENT.      35 

said  that  "  opportunities  make  men."  Tliis  is 
doubtless  true ;  hence  there  is  no  good  reason 
why  there  should  not  be  7nen  in  mental  culture 
all  around  us.  The  history  of  the  past  furnishes 
an  evidence  that  it  is  true,  also,  that  men  have 
made  their  opportunities.  There  were  men  of 
power  in  the  past,  whose  facilities  for  improve- 
ment were  very  limited.  They  always  had 
some  thought  upon  the  mental  anvil,  working  it 
out,  and  tracing  it  out,  in  its  minute  relations, 
thus  securing  to  the  undying  soul  a  wealth  of 
wisdom  that  the  world  could  not  buy.  Are  not 
Franklin  and  Ferguson  practical  illustrations 
of  the  truth  just  stated?  We  see  in  the  one  a 
man  whose  philosophical  investigations  aston- 
ished the  world,  and  in  the  other  a  contributor 
to  astronomical  science,  the  value  of  which  has 
rendered  his  name  ever-living. 

Hugh  Miller  and  Burritt  have  rendered  their 
names  as  immortal  as  tlie  world  in  which  they 
lived.  The  one  a  prodigy  in  geological  science, 
who  could  find  ''sermons  in  stones,"  and  the 
other,  the  Lingue  Prodigiiim,  standing  at  his 
forge  with  sleeves  rolled  up,  and  as  the  crack- 
ling sparks  fly  from  the  white-heated  bar,  there 
are  living  sparks  of  mental  fire,  flitting  through 
the  brain,  revealing  their  beauty  from  the  eye, 
and   finally  poured   forth    upon   the  heart   of 


36  LIFE  OF  UEV.  ROHKRT    DOBBINS. 

Iminauity  in  "words  tliat  burn."  It  is  said 
that  "Drew"  was  a  shoemaker,  and  yet,  witli 
the  humility  of  his  origin  and  avocation,  he 
gave  to  humanity  some  of  the  finest  works 
upon  metaphysical  science  the  world  ever  saw. 

We  might  here  institute  the  inquiry,  Did 
these  men  make  their  opportunities?  or  did 
their  opportunities  make  them  ?  The  plaudits 
of  the  past  and  present  generations  have  already 
answered. 

Be  not  deceived,  my  youthful  reader,  but  re- 
member that  it  is  thought,  it  is  study,  that  strength- 
ens the  ligaments  of  the  mind ;  it  is  this  that 
gives  power  to  the  God-like  soul. 

The  limited  educational  advantages  to  which 
we  have  referred,  as  unfavorable  as  they  may 
appear,  were  not  the  worst  feature  in  the  case. 

Even  the  meager  facilities  for  improvement 
in  the  past  were  not  ahcays  available  to  our 
forefathers.  Such  was  the  case  with  young  Mr. 
Dobbins.  Schools  in  the  mountain  districts 
in  Pennsylvania  were  few  and  far  between. 
And  although  school  books  are  now  scattered 
like  forest  leaves  among  the  people,  then  they 
were  scarce  and  difficult  to  command ;  and  as  a 
result,  many  children  were  under  the  necessity 
of  depending  upon  a  home  education.  They 
were  compelled  to  plod  their  weary  way  up  the 


THE  PAST  AND  THE  PRESENT.  37 

hill  of  science,  in  many  instances  alone.  They 
had  to  think  for  themselves — they  were  com- 
pelled to  dig  for  the  precious  treasures  of 
knowledge,  and  when  a  treasure  is  thus  ob- 
tained, it  is  generally  appreciated.  Query : 
Does  not  this  fact  account  for  the  diamond 
strength  of  intellect  of  many  of  the  old  divines? 
They  reac/ comparatively  little,  but  thought  much. 
It  is  to  be  feared  that  many  now  read  much,  but 
think  little.  The  former  should  not  be  neglected, 
and  the  latter  is  essential  to  true  manhood. 

Mr,  Dobbins,  at  this  early  period  in  life,  had  an 
uncontrollable  thirst  for  knowledge,  and  was  sub- 
ject to  all  the  disadvantages  to  which  we  have 
referred.  If  he  heard  of  a  volume  of  value  in 
the  hands  of  a  distant  friend,  he  was  sure  to 
avail  himself  of  it,  if  possible.  In  this  way  a 
few  books  of  merit  fe'll  into  his  hands,  and  he 
would  pore  over  their  contents  with  all  the 
interest  of  a  soul  fully  determined  to  improve 
its  immortal  powers. 

He  was  not  favored  with  a  carpeted  studiOj 
with  lamp  or  candle,  and  a  voluminous  library 
with  all  its  accompaniments — such  as  would  be 
calculated  to  gratify  the  taste  of  an  aspiring 
student  now!  But  you  may  see  him  in  the 
quiet  evening-tide,  as  the  golden  sunbeams  lay 
upon  the  mountains,  shedding  a  mellow  graa- 


38  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERF    DOlilMNS. 

deur  upon  the  lofty  pines  of  his  forest  home, 
wending  his  way  to  the  woods  to  gather  knots 
of  pine  to  throw  liglit  upon  the  dusky  page 
from  which  he  may  glean  the  coveted  treasures 
of  knowledge.  The  preliminaries  being  thus 
arranged,  see  him  in  his  forest  home  lying 
upon  his  breast  before  the  fire,  poring  over  his 
much  loved  volume,  even  until  day  dawns. 
Such  was  his  desire  for  mental  improvement, 
that  he  frequently  subjected  himself  to  this 
rude  discipline;  and  yet,  with  all  these  disadvan- 
tages, his  knowledge  of  historical  literature,  in 
after  years,  would  compare  favorably  with  many 
of  the  present  day,  whose  facilities  for  improve- 
ment were  far  superior.  He  was  a  rapid  reader. 
He  informed  the  writer  that  he  read  ''  Rollins' 
Ancient  History"  through  in  two  months. 
Though  rapid  in  tracing  the  thread  of  histori- 
cal narrative,  he  was  not  a  careless  reader. 
He  possessed  a  mind  to  grasp  and  an  under- 
standing to  comprehend  as  soon  as  the  eye  fell 
upon  the  printed  lines.  Thus  historical  knowl- 
edge was  stored  away  in  the  chamber  of  memory 
for  future  use;  and  when  old  in  years,  he  was 
able  to  command  not  only  the  leading  facts  of 
history,  but  to  some  extent  its  minute  relations. 
It  is  noble,  it  is  worthy  of  all  praise,  to 
improve  the  God-like  powers  given  us ;  but  it 


MANNER  OF  STUDY.  39 

should  be  remembered  that  man's  mental,  as 
well  as  his  physical  being,  is  governed  by  law, 
and  we  cannot  violate  the  law  of  either  with 
impunity.  The  soul  and  hody  are  precious 
gifts  from  God.  In  the  legitimate  use  of  them, 
mental  and  physical  health  are  preserved,  and  a 
reasonable  prospect  of  a  happy  old  age.  If  you 
would  preserve  a  building  from  decay,  let  a 
tenant  occupy  it;  if  you  would  preserve  an 
implement  of  husbandry  from  rust,  use  it ;'  if 
you  would  preserve  the  mind  from  imbecility, 
think — learn  something  new  every  day  ;  if  you 
would  have  a  vigorous  body,  exercise  its  powers ; 
if  you  would  be  useful  to  humanity  and  make 
an  impression  upon  the  age  in  which  you  live, 
do  something  that  will  be  of  service  to  your 
race ;  so  that  when  you  are  gathered  to  your 
fathers,  the  living  may  look  away  to  the  mellow 
light  reflected  from  your  sepulchre,  and  remem- 
ber the  virtuous  deeds  that  adorned,  like  a  fringe 
of  golden  beauty,  your  pilgrimage  through  life. 
We  have  said  that  Mr.  Dobbins  had  an  un- 
controllable desire  for  knowledge ;  we  here  add, 
that  a  too  close  application  to  reading  at  this 
early  period,  resulted  in  an  injury  to  his  sight, 
from  which  he  never  fully  recovered. 


40  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Departure  from  Home— Absent  Eighteen  Years— The  Realities  of  Life — 
In  Bad  Company — Invited  by  a  Quaker  to  attend  Methodi.st  Meeting 
— Rev.  Jacob  Lurton — Rev.  Samnel  TucKer — MirthfnlneKs  in  Church 
— Convicting  Power — Great  Thoughts — Decision  of  Mind — Returns 
to  his  former  Wicked  Practices  more  fully  than  ever — Marr'age— 
Resolves  to  Reform — Unites  with  the  Metliodist  Episcopal  Church — 
Bishop  Asbury  proclaims  a  Fast — Attends  a  Prayer-Meeting — Con 
version— Reflections. 

THE  love  of  adventure  is  an  element  univer- 
sally connected  with  a  mind  like  that  of 
our  young  hero.  Bold,  fearless  and  decisive, 
he  generally  accomplished  whatever  he  under- 
took. This  love  of  adventure  increased  as  he 
approached  the  period  of  manhood,  and  impelled 
him,  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  to  leave  the 
home  of  his  youth,  and  try  his  fortune  upon  the 
rough  sea  of  life.  He  intended,  however,  to 
remain  away  but  a  short  time,  and  then  return 
to  the  society  of  loved  ones  at  home ;  but  when 
once  out  upon  the  busy  sea  of  actual  experience, 
amidst  its  excitements  and  varied  interests,  and 
subjected  to  disappointed  expectations,  contrary 
to  his  own  intentions  and  the  calculations  of  his 
friends,  he  was  absent  from  home  eighteen  years. 
It  is  seldom  the  case  that  the  young  man  who 
goes  forth  from  the  parental  roof  to  battle  with 


DEPARTURE  FROM  HOME.  41 

the  scenes  of  life  realizes  the  idea  of  his  hopes. 
The  dreams  of  pleasure,  profit,  and  comparative 
ease,  that  imagination  marked  upon  the  scroll  of 
destiny,  he  may  never  enjoy;  but  will  probably 
learn  from  that  most  ef&cient  of  all  teachers, 
experience,  that  the  elements  of  life  are  real. 
Mr.  Dobbins  directed  his  course  to  Conemaugh, 
Pa.,  a  place  better  known  by  the  name  of 
Ligonier  Valley,  and  then  to  Cannonsburgh. 
Here  he  fell  into  wicked  company,  and  realized 
by  experience  the  truth  of  the  declaration  that 
'•'evil  communications  corrupt  good  manners." 
He  gave  himself  up  to  dissolute  habits,  but  still 
retained  what  the  world  calls  a  sense  of  honor, 
possessing  a  spirit  too  noble  to  be  guilty  of  what 
high-minded  sinners  would  call  a  mean  action. 

He  was  at  this  time  in  the  service  of  a  Quaker 
gentlemen,  by  whom,  on  a  certain  occasion,  he 
was  addressed  as  follows :  "  Robert,  wilt  thou 
go  with  me  to  Methodist  meeting  to-day?" 
Robert  consented,  and  in  due  time  prepared  to 
accompany  his  employer  to  the  place  of  worship. 
The  meeting  was  held  in  a  dwelling-house ; 
there  were  two  ministers  present,  Revs.  Jacob 
Lurton  and  Samuel  Tucker. 

Mr.  Tucker,  the  preacher  on  this  occasion, 
had  been  absent  from  the  neighborhood  for 
some  time,  residing  temporarily  in  Kentucky. 


42  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

During  bis  absence  he  liad  become  a  subject  of 
converting  grace,  and  had  received  license  from 
tlie  proper  authorities  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  to  preach  the  Gospel.  On  his  return 
home,  all  were  anxious  to  hear  him  preach, 
lie  who  had  a  short  time  before  left  them  a 
wicked  man,  a  practical  opposer  of  the  Christian 
fiitli,  now  returned  a  preacher  of  that  Gospel  he 
once  despised,  and,  as  might  have  been  expected, 
the  people  flocked  from  all  quarters  to  the 
place  of  meeting. 

Young  Robert  took  his  seat  on  an  old  chest 
in  one  corner  of  the  room,  and  the  services  com- 
menced. The  preacher  was  a  "  son  of  thunder," 
and  proclaimed  the  truth  in  the  spirit  of  his 
Master;  but  notwithstanding  the  point  and 
power  of  the  preacher,  during  the  early  part  of 
the  sermon  the  attention  of  Robert  was  drawn 
to  several  young  ladies  who  sat  nearly  opposite 
him ;  these  ladies  were  more  interesting,  in  his 
eyes,  than  either  the  preacher  or  the  congrega- 
tion. These  mirthful  emotions,  however,  were 
destined  soon  to  give  place  to  other  thoughts : 
for  towards  the  close  of  the  discourse,  the 
preacher's  emotions  rose  with  the  occasion,  and, 
as  if  struggling  under  the  pressure  of  present 
responsibility,  to  meet  the  emergencies  of  the 
hour,  his  soul  was  brought  into  close  and  inti- 


REV.  SAMUEL  TUCKER.  43 

mate  sympathy  with  God.  Under  the  influence  of 
this  high  spiritual  condition,  his  right  hand  and 
foot  were  simultaneously  raised,  one  descending 
heavily  upon  the  table  and  the  other  upon  the 
floor,  accompanied  with  the  exclamation,  "Sin- 
ner !  if  your  sins  were  written  upon  you,  you 
would  be  as  black  as  damnation."  This  sudden 
exclamation,  uttered  in  a  terrible  voice,  broke  the 
link  of  attraction  between  Eobert  and  the  young 
ladies,  and  gave  a  different  turn  to  his  thoughts. 
Mr  Lurton  then  rose  in  the  spirit  of  his  Master, 
with  a  heart  all  aglow  with  the  inspiration  of 
the  occasion,  and  poured  forth  the  truths  of 
revelation  in  "thoughts  that  breathe  and 
words  that  burn."  All  hearts  tremble  in  the 
breeze,  and  the  vivid  flashes  of  inspired  truth, 
bursting  forth  from  the  soul  of  the  God-like 
preacher,  are  shot  through  the  heart  of  the  hard- 
ened sinner,  awakening  emotions  of  alarm, 
while  others  are  weeping  aloud,  for  a  storm- 
cloud  of  convicting  power  has  descended  upon 
that  audience  in  a  cabin  in  the  wilderness,  and 
and  the  people  fall  as  dead  men  in  all  directions, 
so  that  the  Gospel  was  felt  to  be,  on  that  day, 
the  "power  of  God  unto  salvation."  Young 
Eobert  trembled,  and  his  soul  was  stirred  to 
its  utmost  depths,  and  to  avoid  crying  out 
"  God  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner,"  he  thrust 


44  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT  DOBBINS. 

his  pocket  handkerchief  into  his  mouth,  and  as 
soon  as  convenient,  the  wounded,  but  unwilling 
youth,  left  the  house. 

On  the  following  morning,  while  engaged  at 
his  work,  his  mind  was  occupied  with  thoughts 
of  undying  interest.  He  reflected  upon  what 
be  had  heard,  and  seen,  and  felt  the  previous 
day;  the  solemnity,  power,  and  influence  of  the 
occasion;  great  thoughts  within  troubled  him;  he 
had  no  rest ;  he  began  to  count  the  cost,  and  to 
reason  thus  with  himself:  "I  must  forsake  my 
wicked  associates  and  my  sinful  gratifications. 
I  must  deny  myself,  and  part  with  the  idols  I  so 
dearly  love,  and  yield  obedience  to  the  laws  of 
Heaven." 

This  mental  soliloquy  was  a  great  mental 
conflict.  Great  powers  within  him  were  con- 
tending for  the  mastery;  and  after  a  mighty 
struggle,  his  better  judgment  yielded  to  the 
potent  enemy  within,  and  he  concluded  not  to 
give  up  his  sins. 

He  now  resumed  his  former  indulgences  to  a 
greater  extent  than  ever,  such  as  dancing — an 
amusement  of  which  he  was  particularly  fond — 
card  playing,  and  kindred  vices.  Thus  his 
return  to  God  was  put  off*  until  a  "  more  con- 
venient season,"  and  the  devil  had  gained  a 
great  victory.  .^ 


MENTAL  STRUGGLE.  45 

Every  victory  gained  by  the  arch-tempter 
over  the  spirit  of  man  is  attended  with  a  cor- 
responding loss  of  moral  power.  A  victory 
achieved  by  the  deceiver  is  a  great  loss  to  the 
soul.  The  great  struggle  of  soul,  such  as  the 
one  to  which  we  here  refer — the  soul  struf^o^lincr 

DO  O 

to  break  away  from  the  enchantments  of  sin, 
and  proposing  to  decide  in  reference  to  its 
future  course,  is  a  struggle  involving  interests 
as  ever-during  as  Eternity.  A  decision  under 
such  circumstances  frequently  settles  moral 
character  for  life.  How  important,  then,  to 
entertain  a  heavenly  visitant  when  we  have 
an  opportunity  of  doing  so !  how  important 
to  encourage  every  impression  made  upon 
the  heart  by  the  Divine  Spirit !  The  education 
of  the  heart  should  commence  early.  ''Kemem- 
ber  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth, '» 
is  a  Scriptural  injunction,  and  the  general  range 
of  inspired  truth  is  in  harmony  with  this  pre 
cept.  We  hear  a  voice  from  Heaven,  saying, 
''  Those  that  seek  me  early  shall  find  me."  The 
inspired  penman  understood  the  philosophy  of 
an  early  dedication  of  the  heart  to  Grod — hence 
the  advisory  precepts  throughout  the  Bible. 

We  have  all  seen  how  difficult  it  is  for  per- 
sons to  overcome  the  defects  of  an  early  mental 
education ;  with  such  it  is  a  constant  struggle 


46  LIFE  OF   KEV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

through  life.  And  many  know  by  sad  experi- 
ence how  difficult  it  is  to  overcome  old  sinful 
habits — a  settled  i)ervcrsi'on  of  the  heart. 

It  may  be  said,  that  whatever  may  be  the 
degree  of  moral  perversion,  whether  in  an  in- 
cipient or  more  advanced  stage,  nothing  short 
of  the  Spirit  of  God  can  change  the  heart  from  a 
state  of  sin  to  a  state  of  holiness !  This  is  admitted. 
And  it  may  be  urged  that  whatever  may  be  the 
degree  of  moral  perversion,  the  Spirit  of  God  is 
competent  to  change  the  most  obdurate  heart, 
for  it  is  said  "  Though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet, 
they  shall  be  as  white  as  snow ;  though  they 
be  red  like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as  wool." 

This  is  all  true,  for  it  is  God's  own  word. 
In  connection  with  the  preceding,  there  are  two 
things  we  should  remember.  First:  We  should 
remember  the  laws  of  man's  mental  and  moral 
nature.  Secondly:  We  should  remember  that 
the  Spirit  of  God,  in  its  approaches  to  the  souls 
of  the  children  of  men,  finds  those  souls  under 
the  influence  of  different  degrees  of  moral  per- 
version. 

Now,  it  is  a  law  of  man's  moral  constitution, 
that  continuance  in  sin  strengthens  evil  habits ; 
some  are  less,  others  more  confirmed,  in  wicked- 
ness. Now,  without  any  detraction  from  the 
efficiency  of  God's  word  or  Spirit,  is  it  not  in 


IMPORTANCE  OF  EARLY  PIETY.  47 

harmony  with  reason  to  suppose  that  these 
great  agencies  would  be  more  likely  to  succeed 
with  the  less  obdurate  heart,  than  with  the  one 
whose  moral  obliquity  is  greater  ?  We  think 
so.  It  is  a  maxim  among  men,  that  "  we  must 
take  the  world  as  we  find  it ;"  and  it  is  not 
irreverent  to  say,  that  God  finds  men  under  the 
influence  of  different  moral  states,  and  some  are 
more,  others  less,  disposed  to  listen  to  the 
Divine  voice.  The  moral  state  has,  to  a  great 
extent,  a  controlling  influence  upon  the  dispo- 
sition of  man. 

It  is  comparatively  easy  for  the  young  to 
commence  a  religious  course  of  life  ;  and  on  the 
other  hand,  it  is  more  difficult  (though  not 
impossible)  ^or  the  hardened  offender  to  yield 
to  the  invitation  of  Heaven.  When  the  peni- 
tent sinner  comes  to  the  mxcrcy-seat,  we  are 
happy  to  say,  that  Jesus  is  "  able  to  save  unto 
the  uttermost  all  that  will  come  unto  God  by 
Him ;  seeing  he  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession 
for  them."  Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord ! 
ITe  is  able  to  save  the  chief  of  sinners  if  he  is 
willing  to  be  saved. 

It  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  the  reader  to 
learn  something  in  connection  with  the  unfor- 
tunate end  of  Eev.  Samuel  Tucker,  the  preacher 
referred  to  on  a  previous  page. 


48  LIFE  OF   REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

lie  returned  again  to  the  State  of  Kentucky, 
and  while  going  from  the  lied  Stone  country 
down  the  Ohio  river  with  some  families,  and 
while  passing  the  mouth  of  the  Big  Sciota  river, 
they  were  espied  by  some  Indians  on  the  shore. 
These  Indians  went  out  in  their  canoes  and 
made  an  attack  upon  the  river  emigrants,  and 
quite  a  battle  ensued,  in  which  several  of  the 
white  men  were  killed,  and  a  number  of  the 
red  men  met  the  same  fate.  In  this  battle  upon 
the  Ohio  river.  Rev.  Mr.  Tucker  was  mortally 
wounded,  and  died  on  the  evening  of  the  same 
day.  His  remains  were  subsequently  buried  in 
Limestone,  now  called  Maysville,  Kentucky. 
This  event  occurred  in  the  year  1790. 

The  time  had  now  arrived  when  Mr.  Dobbins 
entertained  serious  thoughts  of  changing  his 
state  of  life,  and  accordingly,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-three  years,  paid  his  addresses  to  Miss 
Jane  Boyce,  a  young  lady  of  engaging  man- 
ners, an  amiable  spirit,  and  above  all,  a  devoted, 
earnest  Christian.  To  this  lady  he  was  married 
October  20,  1791.  The  serious  impressions 
made  upon  his  mind  previous  to  his  marriage 
still  lingered  in  his  heart.  The  barbed  arrow- 
had  found  way  to  his  soul,  and  he  could  not 
easily  free  himself  from  its  influence. 

Ilis  marriage  to  Miss  Boyce  he  always  re- 


HIS  CONVERSION".  49 

garcled  as  providential.  Her  Christian  prudence 
and  sincere  attachment  to  the  Christian  caase, 
had  a  tendency  to  deepen  the  impressions  made 
upon  his  souL  He  now  resolved  to  give  up  his 
sins  and  sinful  companions,  and  to  change  his 
course  in  life.  True,  his  old  habits  had  a  strong 
hold  upon  him,  and  he  knew  it  would  cost  him 
a  struggle  to  give  them  up ;  but  he  resolved 
through  grace,  cost  what  it  might,  to  cast  him- 
self upon  God,  through  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  plead  for  mercy  at  the  foot  of  the  cross. 
He  commenced  praying  earnestly  to  God  for 
forgiving  grace,  encouraged  by  his  faithful 
wife. 

A  few  months  after  he  had  formed  the  resolu- 
tion to  live  a  new  life,  he,  in  company  with  his 
wife,  attended  a  class-meeting.  He  had  pre- 
viously resolved  to  unite  with  the  church  at 
this  meeting,  and  accordingly  before  the  services 
closed,  an  Irish  brother,  by  the  name  of  James 
Patterson,  came  up  to  him,  and  taking  him  by  the 
hand,  said,  "  Come,  Bob,  and  join  the  church." 
He  gave  his  hand  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  April  10,  1793,  and  though  not  a 
Christian,  he  resolved  to  continue  seeking  the 
blessing  of  salvation  until  he  knew  that  God, 
for  Christ's  sake,  had  forgiven  all  his  sins. 

About  this  time  Bishop  Asbury  proclaimed  a 
4 


50  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

fast — a  day  of  humiliation  and  prayer,  to  be  ob- 
served throughout  the  connection.  The  object 
was  for  a  general  revival  of  religion  throughout 
the  church.  On  a  day  appointed,  Mr.  Dobbins 
repaired  to  a  meeting  which  was  to  be  held  at 
the  residence  of  his  class  leader.  Two  classes 
were  to  meet  there  that  day.  His  mind  was 
still  dark  and  oppressed  with  a  sense  of  unwor- 
thiness  and  sin.  His  class  leader  called  on  him 
to  pray. '  The  following  thoughts  rushed  through 
his  stricken  spirit :  "  How  is  it  possible  that 
such  a  sinner  as  I  can  receive  the  blessing  of 
salvation.  I  have  been  so  reckless,  have  re- 
sisted so  much  light  and  knowledge,  that  it  is 
folly  for  me  to  think  that  God  will  heed  my 
cry." 

His  spirit  sank  within  him ;  then  again  hope, 
that  angel  of  the  soul,  would  spring  up,  and 
urge  him  onward  to  duty.  He  was  impressed  with 
the  conviction  that  if  ever  changed  in  spirit, 
something  very  unusual  would  occur  in  his 
case.  He  regarded  himself  as  no  ordinary  sin- 
ner. When  called  upon  by  his  leader  to  pray, 
he  fell  upon  his  knees,  and  the  only  utterance 
that  fell  from  his  lips  was,  "Lord,  have  mercy 
upon  me."  Scarcely  had  these  words  fallen 
from  his  lips,  when  his  mourning  was  turned  to 
joy ;  he  bounded  from  his  knees  and  shouted 


MR.  dobbins'  conversion.  51 

the  praises  of  God  aloud.  He  was  now  enabled 
to  say  "  Though  thou  wast  angry  with  me,  thine 
anger  is  turned  away,  and  now  thou  lovest  me." 
In  connection  with  the  foregoing  experience, 
there  are  two  points  of  great  interest  to  the 
sincere  inquirer  after  truth,  and  we  propose  to 
submit  a  few  thoughts  with  regard  to  them. 

First:  Many  sincere  seekers  of  salvation 
doubt  the  propriety  of  uniting  with  the  church 
visible  before  conversion,  and  many  Christians 
conscientiously  encourage  this  view  of  the  sub- 
ject. We  have  no  disposition  to  contend 
unduly  against  the  conscientious  convictions  of 
earnest  seekers  of  salvation  ;  and  if  such  cannot, 
with  a  good  conscience,  unite-  with  any  branch 
of  the  Christian  church  before  conversion,  let 
them  not  violate  that  tender  monitor  within, 
but  persevere  until  they  attain  the  desired  end. 
It  would  be  well,  however,  for  all  such  to 
remember,  that  there  is  danger  of  grieving  the 
Spirit  of  God  by  a  disposition  within  us  to  have 
our  oivn  ivay.  In  the  unseen  pride  of  our  own 
hearts,  we  may  mark  out  the  way  in  which  we 
desire  the  Divine  Spirit  to  lead  us,  instead  of 
manifesting  a  disposition  to  be  "led  by  the 
Spirit."  God's  plan  with  us  is  one  calculated 
to  subdue  the  pride  of  the  heart,  and  awaken 
within  us  a  spirit  of  submission  to  the  Divine 


52  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROHERT    DOBBINS. 

will.  Wc  observe  that  whenever  an  individual 
feels  the  necessity  of  being  a  Christian,  and  is 
resolved  by  Divine  assistance  to  be  a  follower 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  it  becomes  his  duty  to 
avail  himself  of  every  facility  at  command  to 
promote  his  spiritual  welfare.  Few,  compara- 
tively, will  deny  that  it  is  the  duty  of  all  per- 
sons who  are  favored  with  the  light  of  the  Gos- 
pel, to  unite  with  the  visible  church  at  some 
period  in  life.  This  being  admitted,  we  inquire 
what  is  it  that  renders  the  obligation  to  which 
we  refer  less  binding  before  conversion  than 
after  it  ?  Will  it  be  said  that  we  are  unworthy  a 
place  in  the  church  of  God  before  we  experience 
a  change  of  heart  ?  I  would  inquire,  to  what 
extent  is  our  worthiness  increased  after  conver- 
sion? We  are  still  unworthy,  and  remember 
with  unspeakable  pleasure  that  Jesus  died  for 
us.  The  logic  of  revealed  truth  impresses  upon 
us  the  importance  of  attending  to  every  duty 
which  will  have  a  tendency  to  promote  our 
spiritual  interests.  I  have  known  persons  to 
receive  the  evidence  of  their  acceptance  while 
attending  to  the  ordinance  of  baptism,  and  per- 
sons have  been  known  to  experience  special 
intimations  of  Divine  approval  when  presenting 
themselves  for  membership  in  the  church  of  God. 
Of  course,  these    acts  were  accompanied  with 


EEFLECTIONS  CONTINUED.  53 

practical  obedience  in  other  connections,  and  an 
earnest  desire  to  forsake  sin  and  be  the  servants 
of  God.  We  therefore  see  no  impropriety  in 
persons  pursuing  the  course  adopted  by  the 
subject  of  this  biography. 

Secondly:  Instantaneous  conversions,  such  as 
we  have  described  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Dobbins, 
were  common  at  the  period  of  which  we  write  ; 
indeed,  this  was  a  prominent  characteristic  in 
the  practical  workings  of  primitive  Methodism  ; 
and  to  a  considerable  extent,  this  is  still  the  case 
in  the  Methodist  churches  of  our  own  and  other 
lands.  This  has  been  a  subject  of  painful 
anxiety  to  many  sincere  Christians.  Many 
who  have  experienced  sudden  emotions  of  joy 
when  visited  by  the  Divine  Spirit,  have,  in 
communicating  this  intelligence,  been  very  pre- 
cise in  referring  to  the  7:) /ace,  day,  and  hour, 
when  they  were  permitted  to  enjoy  this  glorious 
change;  while  other  sincere  Christians  who 
heard  these  cgmmunications,  have  been  led  to 
doubt  the  genuineness  of  their  own  conversion. 

Now  it  would  certainly  be  very  injudicious 
to  contradict  the  testimony  of  the  first  class  of 
persons  to  whom  we  have  referred ;  were  we  to 
to  do  so,  the  testimony  of  the  living  and  the 
dead  would  be  against  us ;  and  not  only  so,  we 
would  meet  a  prompt  opponent  in  the  Bible 


54  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

itself.  The  change  wrought  in  Saul  of  Tarsus 
was  not  only  marked,  but  sudden ;  and  the 
manifestations  of  converting  power  wrouglit 
by  the  agency  of  Peter's  memorable  sermon, 
are  full  of  instructive  interest.  I  know  that 
these  cases  have  been  regarded  as  extraonUnary  ; 
but  when  we  divest  the  converting  grace  of  God 
of  its  extraordinary  character,  we  destroy  its 
Divinity. 

Is  there  no  hope,  then,  for  the  latter  class  to 
whom  we  have  referred  ?  We  reply — there  is 
hope. 

Our  understanding  of  the  case  is  this.  Though 
we  may  not  be  fully  advised  in  relation  to  the 
laws  of  mental  life,  and  the  consequent  influence 
of  the  mind  upon  the  body,  it  is  nevertheless 
true,  that  there  is  a  diversity  of  constitutional 
temperaments.  Some  are  constitutionally  bold, 
impetuous,  and  decisive ;  others  are  deliberate, 
cautious,  and  timid.  Some  are  uncontrollably 
susceptible  of  sudden  and  violent  emotions, 
as  of  love,  joy,  grief,  and  kindred  passions,  and 
give  vent  to  their  emotions  in  sudden  outbursts 
of  feeling.  Others  are  as  calm,  serene,  and 
self-collected  under  the  most  exciting  circum- 
stances, as  the  quietude  of  a  summer's  evening. 

Others,  however  we  may  account  for  it, 
appear  naturally  inclined  to  the  higher  vices 


IMPORTANCE  OF  CONVERSION.  55 

from  early  life;  while  otliers  are  proverbially 
lovely  in  spirit,  and  inclined  to  the  moral  vir- 
tues, such  as  aftbction,  benevolence,  and  truth. 
Now,  may  it  not  reasonably  be  expected  that 
the  converting  grace  of  God,  operating  upon 
these  different  temperaments,  would  result  in 
personal  manifestations  in  harmony  with  con- 
stitutional tendency?  Would  it  be  a  matter 
of  surprise  if  the  bold,  daring,  impetuous  leader 
in  sin  should  be  suddenly  arrested  in  his  course 
by  the  power  of  truth,  and  be  brought  to  feel 
the  might}^  shock  of  the  Spirit's  awakening 
power,  and  fall  prostrate  to  the  ground  ?  Would 
it  be  surprising  if,  when  the  angel  of  mercy 
whispers  peace  to  his  spirit,  and  the  light  of  the 
glory  of  God  shines  upon  his  soul,  he  should 
manifest  that  high  wrought  enthusiasm  which 
he  was  wont  to  display  in  his  previous  opposi- 
tion to  truth  ? 

It  appears  reasonable  to  suppose  that  it  would 
be  so.  On  the  other  hand,  would  it  be  a  matter 
of  wonder  if  the  latter  class  to  whom  we  have 
referred,  who,  when  led  out  and  away  into  the 
higher  region  of  spiritual  enjoyment  by  the 
converting  power  of  God,  should  at  the  first 
touch  of  the  Divine  Spirit  "  see  men  as  trees, 
walking?"  Would  it  be  marvelous  if  these 
persons,  by  a  continuance  in  the  way  of  duty, 


56  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

should  be  favored  with  a  still  greater  manifes- 
tation of  the  Divine  presence,  so  that  they 
would  be  enabled  to  '*see  every  man  clearly?" 

And  in  addition  to  the  above,  we  may  say 
that  God  has  his  own  way  of  doing  his  own 
work,  and  doubtless  his  manner  of  dealing^  with 
each  individual  of  the  human  race  is  in  harmony 
with  the  highest  wisdom. 

After  all,  it  is  a  matter  of  little  consequence 
how  the  converting  grace  of  God  is  received, 
whether  suddenly  or  gradually ;  it  is  enough 
for  us  to  know,  and  be  able  to  say :  ^'  One 
thing  I  know ;  whereas  I  was  blind  I  now  see." 
Dear  reader,  do  you  love  sin,  and  delight  in 
those  things  that  God  hates  ?  If  so,  you  lack 
that  converting  grace  that  is  so  essential.  On 
the  other  hand,  do  you  love  the  Saviour?  Do 
you  love  Christian  duty  ?  Is  it  a  pleasure  to 
you  to  learn  and  obey  the  commandments  of 
your  Heavenly  Father  ?  If  so,  to  say  the  very 
least,  you  are  not  far  from  the  kingdom  of  God. 


CALL  TO  PKEACH.  57 


CHAPTER  lY 

Appointed  Class  Leader — Rev.  Daniel  Hitt — Eev.  "William  Beauchamp 
— Rev.  Wm.  Ross — Invited  to  lead  class — Interview  with  Mr.  Walker 
—Believer  in  a  Divine  call  to  the  Ministry— Removal— Rev.  Asa 
— Shinn — Polemical  disputations  for  Mutual  Improvement— Anecdotes 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Shinn — Appoints  a  Prayer  Meetitg — Preparations  of  the 
Heart— Description  of  the  Congregation— Reads  one  of  Wesley's 
Sermons — Extemporaneous  Sermon — Effects. 

MANY  of  the  early  Methodist  ministers 
went  from  the  plow  to  the  pulpit. 
These  were  the  men  for  the  times.  As  soon  as 
a  youth  endowed  by  nature  and  grace  appeared 
upon  the  stage,  the  sagacious  eyes  of  his  seniors 
were  upon  him,  and  they  would  thrust  him  out 
into  the  vineyard.  Neither  would  these  young 
men  go  out  uncalled  or  unbidden  by  a  higher 
power,  for  they  were  unwavering  believers  in 
a  Divine  call  to  the  ministry.  They  felt  with 
Paul,   ''  Wo  !  is  me  if  I  preach  not  the  Gospel." 

So,  in  obedience  to  the  heavenly  call  and  the 
voice  of  the  brethren  they  went  forth  with  the 
sword  of  the  Spirit  '  in  their  hands,  and  the 
diversified  scenery  of  nature  around  them,  from 
which  they  drew  ample  stores  of  knowledge. 

Soon  after  the  conversion  of  Mr.  Dobbins  he 
was  appointed  leader  of  a  class,  and  began  to 


58  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

exercise  in  public  by  way  of  exhortation.  He 
atteuded  meeting  in  his  own  neighborhood,  at 
which  Rev.  Daniel  Hitt,  Presiding  Elder  of  the 
district,  was  present.  He  listened  to  a  sermon 
from  this  minister,  at  the  close  of  which  Rev. 
Mr.  Beauchamp,  the  circuit  preacher,  exhorted. 

Duriag  the  exhortation,  the  preacher  spoke 
of  the  importance  of  diligence  in  the  church  of 
God,  that  every  one  should  be  found  at  his  post 
of  duty,  doing  the  work  assigned  him  ;  and  inti- 
mated that  there  were  those  who  failed  to  exer- 
cise the  talents  God  had  given  them,  and  of 
doing  the  work  to  which  they  were  evidently 
called,  and  thus  they  were  fighting  against  God. 
Mr.  Dobbins  felt  the  force  of  these  remarks,  but 
still  declined  going  forth  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  notwithstanding  his  convictions  of 
mind  in  connection  with  duty. 

About  three  years  later,  he,  with  his  family, 
removed  to  Beaver  county,  Pa.  Soon  after  his 
removal  he  went  to  hear  Rev.  Thomas  Ross,  a 
local  preacher. 

Though  the  country  was  new  and  uncultiva- 
ted, quite  a  number  of  church  members  had 
emigrated  to  this  new  country,  and  at  the  time 
appointed  for  the  services  of  Mr.  Ross,  quite  a 
congregation  had  assembled  to  listen  to  the 
Word  of  Life.     At  the  close  of  the  sermon,  as 


INTERVIEW  WITH  MR.  WALKER.  69 

was  usual  in  those  days,  the  members  were 
invited  to  remain  for  class,  and  Mr.  Dobbins 
was  requested  to  conduct  this  service.  He 
complied ;  after  which  he  prepared  to  return 
to  his  home  in  the  wilderness.  An  aged  and 
devoted  servant  of  God  by  the  name  of  Walker 
proposed  to  accompany  him  ;  so  they  journeyed 
on  together,  and  after  arriving  at  the  cabin  of 
Mr.  Dobbins,  the  venerable  brother. was  invited 
to  be  seated  and  rest,  while  his  host  went  about 
a  mile  distant  to  attend  to  certain  temporal 
affairs.  Brother  Walker  insisted  on  ffoinsr 
along,  and  as  soon  as  an  opportunity  presented 
itself,  addressed  Mr.  Dobbins  as  follows: — 
''Brother,  I  have  come  to  discharge  a  duty;  I 
have  a  message  to  deliver  to  you ;  God  has 
called  you  to  the  work  of  the  ministry." 

This  message,  at  this  time,  when  the  mind  of 
Mr.  Dobbins  was  already  troubled  upon  the 
subject  of  duty,  made  a  deep  impression  upon 
his  mind,  and  at  the  solicitation  of  Mr.  Walker 
he  consented  to  fill  an  appointment.  An  ap- 
pointment was  accordingly  made  for  Mr.  Dob- 
bins, and  at  the  time  specified,  accordin_g  to 
promise,  he  made  his  appearance,  oppressed  in 
spirit,  and  almost  overpowered  with  the  weight 
of  responsibility  resting  upon  him.  We  are 
not  in  possession  of  the  text  employed  by  the 


60  LIFE  OF   REV.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 

preacher  on  this,  his  first  attempt  to  preach 
Jesus  to  dying  sinners ;  but  we  are  assured  tliat 
the  Lord,  who  is  ever  present,  did  not  leave 
him  to  battle  with  the  tempter  alone,  but  gave 
him  strength  to  meet  the  emergencies  of  the 
occasion,  and  by  the  Divine  blessing  he  was 
enabled  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  hour  in 
the  spirit  of  his  Master.  AVe  are  aware  that 
incidents  such  as  we  have  just  related  have 
very  little  influence  with  many  minds;  they 
are  regarded  as  freaks  of  fancy,  or,  at  best, 
simply  developments  of  personal  regard,  and 
have  no  higher  origin  than  the  hriman  spirit. 
With  such  we  have  no  controversy,  and  have 
only  to  say  that  every  one  is  at  liberty  to  place 
his  own  estimate  upon  matters  of  this  kind. 

In  the  case  narrated,  au  aged  man  of  high 
spiritual  attainments  was  strongly  impressed 
with  a  sense  of  personal  duty,  which  duty  was, 
at  some  sacrifice,  performed.  The  subject  of 
these  pages  was  an  unwavering  believer  in 
being  inwardly  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  he  was  impelled 
by  this  high  conviction  to  engage  ultimately 
in  the  work.  Mr.  Dobbins  again  changed  his 
location,  removing  with  his  family  to  Columbi- 
ana county,  Ohio,  in  the  vicinity  of  Fawcetts- 
town,  now  called  Liverpool. 


EEV.  ASA  SHIN^N.  61 

It  was  about  this  time  (1801)  that  he  became 
acquainted  with  Eev.  Asa  Shinn,  who  was  then 
traveling  his  first  circuit.  Kevs.  Shinn  and 
Dobbins  began  in  the  ministry  about  the  same 
time,  though  the  latter  was  Mr.  Shinn's  senior 
in  years.  These  two  young  ministers  spent 
many  profitable  and  happy  hours  together. 
They  frequently  engaged  in  polemical  disputa- 
tions for  mutual  improvement.  For  instance, 
Mr.  Shinn  would  defend  the  tenets  of  Calvin 
with  all  his  logical  force,  and  Mr.  Dobbins 
would  use  weapons  of  Arminius  against  his 
opponent.  After  thus  trying  their  logical 
strength,  they  would  reverse  positions  and  each 
contend  for  the  mastery.  In  this  way  the 
miads  of  these  young  ministers  were  brought 
into  logical  contact,  with  pleasure  and  profit  to 
both.  Though  a  digression  from  our  main 
design,  the  reader  will  be  interested  in  the 
narration  of  one  or  two  incidents  in  the  life  of 
the  young  minister  whose  name  has  been  inci- 
dentally introduced  in  these  pages — Rev.  Mr. 
Shinn.  At  the  period  of  which  we  write,  Mr. 
Shinn  was  not  more  than  nineteen  years  old, 
and  yet  he  had  gained  an  enviable  notoriety  in 
all  the  country  through  which  he  traveled,  as  a 
young  man  of  extraordinary  mental  power,  and 
as  a  consequence,  he  was  very  popular.    At  this 


62  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 

early  day,  Mr.  Shinn,  in  traveling  around  his 
circuit,  preached  statedly  at  the  house  of  Solo- 
mon Eagon,  a  worthy  Christian  brother.^ 

It  was  the  good  fortune  of  the  writer  of  these 
pages  to  form  an  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Eagon 
and  his  venerable  lady,  and  to  minister  to  them 
in  their  old  age,  in  their  own  house,  during  the 
years  1838-9.  Mr.  Eagon  remarked  to  the  wri- 
ter that  Mr.  Shinn,  in  an  early  day,  in  visiting  at 
his  house  was  remarkably  reticent,  frequently 
sitting  upon  his  chair  for  a  long  time  without 
noticing  any  one,  or  uttering  a  word.  Then  he 
would  awaken  from  his  reverie,  and  a  vein  of 
pleasantry  would  come  over  his  spirit,  and  he 
would  be  remarkably  social.  It  is  probable  that 
at  this  time  the  thoughts  since  embodied  in  his 
*' Essay  on  the  Plan  of  Salvation,"  stirred  his 
'  great  soul,  and  that  he  was  then  originating  a 
work  that  was  destined  to  arrest  the  attention 
and  claim  the  admiration  of  some  of  the  greatest 
minds  of  the  age — a  work  that  will  live  when 
the  polished  shaft  reared  over  the  dust  of  de- 
parted worth  shall  have  crumbled  down. 

Mr.  Shinn,  though  then  in  his  'teens,  paid 
very  little  attention  to  his  toilet,  was  careless 
with  regard  to  his  apparel,  and  when  about  to 
leave  for  his  next  appointment,  Mr.  Eagon 
would  frequently  detain  him,  and  request  per- 


EEV.  ASA   SHINX.  63 

mission  to  brush  his  coat,  adjust  his  collar,  &;c., 
before  mounting  his  horse. 

At  this  time  his  fame  as  a  preacher  was  all 
abroad ;  and  at  a  certain  point  on  one  of  his 
circuits,  he  found  himself  not  only  in  the  pres- 
ence of  a  large  assembly,  but  favored,  in  addi- 
tion, with  the  presence  of  three  venerable  divines 
of  the  Calvinian  school.  These  aged  ministers 
had  heard  of  the  fame  of  the  young  preacher, 
and  were  determined  to  avail  themselves  of  an 
opportunity  of  hearing  him  ;  so  they  were  pres- 
ent. 

Mr.  Shinn,  being  aware  of  the  presence  of 
these  ministers,  went  to  one  of  them  and  invited 
him  to  preach,  which  was,  of  course,  modestly 
declined ;  he  then  invited  the  other  two,  who 
declined,  saying  that  they  had  come  to  hear 
preaching.  Mr.  Shinn  then  commenced  the 
ser\dces,  and  after  passing  through  the  prelimi- 
naries announced  the  following  text:  "I  said, 
days  should  speak,  and  multitude  of  years 
should  teach  wisdom ;  but  there  is  a  spirit  in 
man;  and  the  inspiration  of  the  Almighty 
giveth  them  understanding.  Great  men  are 
not  always  wise;  neither  do  the  aged  under- 
stand judgment,  therefore  I  said,  hearken  to 
me;  I  also  will  show  mine  opinion." — Job 
xxxii.  7-10. 


64  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 

The  text  was  evidently  selected  after  the 
refusal  of  tlie  aged  men  to  preach ;  and  with 
this  text  as  a  basis,  the  young  preaclier 
elaborated  principles  with  which  he  was  doubt- 
less familiar  with  a  pathos  and  logical  energy 
almost  overwhelming ;  and  it  is  said  that  the 
aged  ministers  retired  from  the  house  highly 
prepossessed  in  favor  of  the  young  preacher,  ad- 
miring his  talents  and  pulpit  power,  though  not 
prepared  to  endorse  his  theology. 

We  have  another  incident  in  the  early  life  of 
Mr.  Shinn  that  we  have  never  seen  published. 
It  was  communicated  to  Mr.  Dobbins  by  Mr. 
John  Wrenchallj  a  merchant  of  Pittsburgh,  and 
is  as  follows : — 

"The  first  charge  to  which  Mr.  Shinn  was 
appointed  was  called  Shenango  circuit,  and 
Pittsburgh  was  at  that  time  a  component  part 
of  the  circuit.  Rev.  Thornton  Flemming,  Pre- 
siding Elder  of  the  district,  gave  Mr.  Shinn  a 
letter  of  introduction  to  Mr.  Wrenchall,  at 
whose  house  he  would  find  a  home  during  his 
stay  in  the  city.  Mr.  Wrenchall  was  an  Eng- 
lishman by  birth,  and  both  a  gentleman  and 
scholar,  remarkably  polite,  and  sensitively  alive 
to  the  slightest  infringement  of  the  rules  of 
refined  etiquette.  Mr.  Shinn  presented  his  letter 
of  introduction  to  Mr.  Wrenchall,  and  was  invited 


ANECDOTES  OF  KEV.  MR.  SHINN.  65 

into  the  parlor,  and  requested  to  feel  himself  at 
home.  During  his  sojourn  with  this  family,  he 
was  introduced  to  Eev.  Mr.  "Wood,  a  Presbyte- 
rian clergyman  of  Pittsburgh.  Mr.  Wrenchall 
performed  the  service  of  introduction  in  a  very 
polite  and  graceful  manner.  Mr.  Shinn  extended 
his  hand  without  rising  from  his  seat.  Here 
was  a  breach  of  the  rules  of  courtesy  which 
shocked  the  refined  sensibilities  of  Mr.  Wren- 
chall to  such  an  extent  that  he  was  half  inclined 
to  administer  a  summary  rebuke,  but  withheld 
it  until,  when  alone  with  his  guest,  he  gave  him 
a  lecture  on  good  manners,  and  said,  "  I  trust, 
my  young  brother,  that  when  I  in  the  future 
introduce  you  to  any  of  my  friends,  you  will, 
at  least,  rise  from  your  seat,  and  deport  yourself 
in  accordance  with  the  rules  of  common  cour- 
tesy. You  will  meet  with  every  variety  of 
society  in  life,  and  it  is  important  that  you 
acquaint  yourself  with  the  rules  of  etiquette  so 
that  you  may  be  able  to  acquit  yourself  respect- 
ably in  any  company  with  which  you  may 
mingle.  Three  weeks  from  this  evening  you 
will  preach  in  this  parlor ;  it  will  be  full,  and 
you  will  probably  have  the  best  class  of  our 
citizens  to  hear  you." 

Mr.  Shinn  was  somewhat  offended  at  these 

plain  remarks,  and  the  next  morning,  as  soon 
5 


66  LIFE  OF   KEY.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

as  convenient,  ordered  his  horse,  and  left  in  a 
somewliat  summary  manner.  He  had  to  cross 
the  Allegheny  river  in  a  ferry  boat,  and  while 
on  his  way  to  the  river,  he  began  to  reflect  upon 
the  incidents  of  the  previous  evening,  and  rea- 
soned thus  with  himself:  "I  am  young  and 
have  lived  but  a  few  years,  and  have  much  to 
learn,  and  Mr.  Wrenchall  is  a  man  of  years, 
refinement,  and  experience,  and  what  he  said 
was  doubtless  intended  for  my  benefit.  I  am 
persuaded  that  no  other  motive  could  have 
induced  him  to  deal  thus  plainly  with  me." 

So,  after  he  had  crossed  the  river,  he  requested 
the  ferryman  to  wait  a  little.  He  then  drew 
from  his  pocket  writing  material,  and  using  his 
hat-crown  for  a  writing-stand,  he  addressed  a 
polite  note  to  Mr.  Wrenchall.  In  this  note  he 
apologized  for  his  "  unceremonious  departure, 
and  requested  to  be  excused  for  the  impropriety 
of  his  course ;  he  then  handed  the  note  to  the 
ferryman  with  the  request  that  he  would  give 
it  to  Mr.  Wrenchall. 

When  Mr.  Wrenchall  received  and  read  this 
note,  he  was  both  surprised  and  delighted.  Its 
beauty  and  harmony  with  the  rules  of  cor- 
rect composition,  its  comprehensive  style,  and 
above  all,  the  dignified  simplicity  and  humil- 
ity that    pervaded    the  entire    note,   made    a 


REV.  ASA  SHINN.  67 

deep  impression  upon  the  mind  of  Mr.  Wren- 
chall.  He  was  overcome  with  emotion,  and 
his  great  soul  was  moved  with  affection  for 
the  young  preacher,  and  hastily  gliding  into  his 
wife's  chamber,  he  said;  '  My  dear,  read  that 
note !  That  young  man  is  destined  to  be  one 
of  the  greatest  men  of  the  age." 

In  three  week&  Mr.  Shinn  returned  and 
preached  to  a  highly  delighted  audience,  and  a 
disciple  of  Chesterfield  could  not  have  gone 
through  the  formulas  of  refined  etiquette  with 
more  efficiency  than  he. 

We  now  return  to  our  narrative.  On  the 
second  Sabbath  after  Mr.  Dobbins,  with  his 
family,  had  settled  in  his  new  home,  he  appoint- 
ed a  prayer-meeting  at  his  own  house.  Feeling 
the  importance  of  a  preparation  of  heart  for  the 
occasion,  you  may  see  him  in  home-spun  gar- 
ments and  bare  feet,  with  a  well-worn  Bible 
under  his  arm,  retiring  to  the  deep  thickets  of 
his  forest  home  to  hold  communion  with  the 
Holy  One  on  high. 

With  this  preparation  he  returns  with  a 
countenance  all  aglow  with  Christian  love. 
He  has  received  a  fresh  baptism  from  the 
Divine  altar,  and  his  soul  is  all  alive  with 
interest  for  the  salvation  of  those  around  him, 
and  yet  painfully  oppressed  with  the  responsi- 


68  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

bilities  of  the  occasion.  He  bad  not  anticipated 
much  of  a  congregation  at  this  meeting,  but 
supposed  that  a  few  of  the  neighbors  would 
collect  for  prayer  and  social  worship.  You 
may  then  well  imagine  his  surprise  as  he  drew 
near  the  house  to  see  the  woods  alive  with 
horses  tied  to  forest  trees  and  saplings  around 
his  rural  home.  A  vast  concourse  of  settlers 
had  gathered  in  from  distant  points,  and  had 
congregated  in  his  yard  before  his  cabin  door,  and 
such  a  motley  group,  presenting  such  a  variety 
of  costume,  as  would  bafQe  the  genius  of  a 
painter  to  describe.  There  was  the  aged  pio- 
neer of  three  score  years  and  ten,  with  flowing 
snow-white  hair,  and  home-spun  garments  that 
had  evidently  seen  better  days ;  and  there  were 
the  hardy  sons  of  the  forest,  arrayed  in  hunting 
shirts,  with  guns  in  hand,  as  though  prepared 
for  a  grand  hunting  match  ;  and  there  were 
others,  with  feet  and  bosoms  bare,  uncovered 
heads,  and  whose  sun-burnt  faces  were  exposed 
to  the  burning  shafts  of  a  vertical  sun  ;  and  there 
were  others  still,  arrayed  in  shirts  and  panta- 
loons alone,  the  latter  kept  in  position  by  a 
stick  thrust  through  a  temporary  eyelet ;  and 
there  were  a  few  with  superannuated  coats,  evi- 
dently comprising  the  aristocracy  of  the  woods. 
By  the  side  of  every  horse  there  sat  a  faithful 


PREACHING  TO  THE  PIONEERS.  69 

dog,  guarding  his  master's  interests.  See  the 
horses !  The  grand  outlines  are  there,  the 
frame-work  is  perfect;  but  they,  with  their 
canine  guards,  give  evidence  of  hard  service 
and  poor  fare. 

The  cabin  was  filled  with  women  and  chil- 
dren in  every  variety  of  dress.  This  miscellany 
of  humanity — the  men  without,  and  the  women 
within,  formed  the  congregation  on  that  day. 

Now,  imagine  you  see  the  pioneer  preacher — • 
a  young  man  in  the  bloom  of  life,  a  stout  round 
form,,  in  bare  feet,  whose  garb  is  quite  in  har- 
mony with  the  congregation  he  is  about  to 
address.  His  round  face  beaming  with  Chris- 
tian love,  and  with  a  heart  full  of  unction  from 
on  high,  he  stands  forth  supported  by  an  om- 
nipotent arm.  The  first  tremulous  tones  that 
fall  from  his  lips  and  vibrate  upon  the  ears 
and  hearts  of  his  hearers,  are  the  silvery 
utterances  of  unaffected  interest  and  love.  He 
reads  one  of  "  Wesley's  "  sermons  on  the  text, 
*'  From  everlasting  to  everlasting  thou  art  God." 

Not  satisfied  with  this  service,  he  felt  as  though 
he  ought  to  preach  in  his  own  way.  So  he 
commenced  an  extemporaneous  sermon  in  a 
voice  of  unusual  compass  and  power.  Softened 
by  the  influence  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  he  poured 
forth  the  burning  truths  of  revelation  with  such 


70  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 

effect,  that  it  sul)diied  the  native  wildness  of  liis 
hearers,  and  their  uncouth  apparel  was  no  bar- 
rier to  the  words  of  living  fire  that  fell  upon 
their  hearts.  Some  wept  aloud ;  all  hearts 
were  moved ;  the  old  man  with  silver  locks 
and  bronzed  brow  wept  as  though  his  heart 
would  break ;  the  tear  was  seen  rolling  down 
the  sunburnt  cheek  of  the  hardy  hunter ;  others 
were  seen  partially  leaning  upon  their  guns 
like  statues  fixed  to  the  earth,  and  the  steady 
eye  suffused  with  tears  told  of  the  mighty  tor- 
rent of  emotion  within.  So  that  the  men  with- 
out, and  the  women  within,  gave  evidence  on 
that  day  that  the  Gospel  of  Christ  was  indeed  the 
"  power  of  God,"  and  it  is  probable  that  eter- 
nity will  unfold  the  grand  and  glorious  truth 
that  it  was  the  "  power  of  God  unto  salvation." 
Such  was  the  beginning  of  the  ministry  of 
him  whose  life  is  briefly  sketched  in  these 
pages. 


ENGAGED  IN  TRADING.  71 


CHAPTER  y. 

Eugaged  in  Trading— Blennerhassett's  Island — Mr.  Blennerhassett  and 
wife — Death  of  Mr.  Dobbins'  Mother — Rev.  Mr.  Dewey — Impressions 
made  upon  Mr.  Dobbins  on  hearing  of  his  Mother's  death — Lorenzo 
Dow— Rev.  Mr.  Williamson— Rev.  Abbott  Godard — Confession  of 
David  Beckett,  a  man  condemned  to  die — His  execution — Quotations 
— Camp  Meeting— Sermon— Quotation— Prayer  of  a  Sea  Captain — 
His  Conversion. 

THE  interests  of  a  rising  family  rendered  it 
necessary  for  Mr.  Dobbins  to  avail  him- 
self of  every  facility  to  provide  for  them. 
Accordingly  for  a  number  of  years  he  was 
engaged  in  trading  upon  the  Ohio  and  Missis- 
sippi rivers.  In  one  of  his  excursions  down 
the  Ohio  river,  in  1805,  he  was  attracted  by  the 
magnificent  appearence  of  the  celebrated  Blen- 
nerhassett mansion,  which  was  then  in  all  its 
glory.  This  mansion  was  situated  on  an  island 
in  the  Ohio  river  about  two  miles  below  Par- 
kersburgh,  or  the  mouth  of  little  Kanawha 
river.  The  vivid  description  of  this  mansion  and 
its  surroundings  as  related  by  Mr.  Dobbins  to 
the  writer,  is  quite  in  harmony  with  the  graphic 
picture  drawn  by  that  prince  of  pleaders,  Wm. 
Wirt. 

Mr.  Blennerhassett  had  purchased  a  plat  of 


72  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

ground  on  the  upper  part  of  the  island  to  which 
we  have  referred,  and  erected  a  mansion,  sur- 
rounded by  corresponding  adornments,  at  a  cost 
of  $60,000. 

The  reader  will  not  be  displeased  with  the 
following  description  of  this  beautiful  place,  (as 
it  then  appeared)  taken  from  the  "  Life  of  Har- 
man  Blennerhassett,  written  by  "William  H. 
Saffbrd." 

"  To  the  mind  of  the  voyager  descending  the 
river,  as  the  edifice  rose  majestically  in  the 
distance,  spreading  its  wings  to  either  shore, 
the  effect  was  magical;  and  emotions  were  pro- 
duced, not  unlike  those  experienced  in  gazing 
on  the  Moorish  palaces  of  Andalusia.  There 
was  a  spell  of  enchantment  around  it  which 
would  fain  induce  the  credulous  to  believe  that 
it  had  been  created  by  magic,  and  conscQfated 
to  the  gods.  On  a  nearer  approach  was  ob- 
served the  beautifully  graded  lawn,  decked  with 
tasteful  shrubbery,  and  interspersed  with  showy 
flowers,  while  a  little  in  the  distance,  the  elm 
threw  its  dark  branches  over  a  carpet  of  most 
beautiful  green  sward.  Beyond  these,  the  forest 
trees  were  intermingled  with  copse-wood,  so 
closely  as  to  exclude  the  noon-day  sun;  and, 
in  other  places,  they  formed  those  long,  sweep- 
ing vistas,  in  the  intricacies  of  which  the  eye 


73 

delights  to  lose  itself,  while  the  imagination 
conceives  them  as  the  paths  of  wilder  scenes  of 
sylvan  solitude. 

''  The  space  immediately  in  the  rear  of  the 
dwelling  was  assigned  to  fruits  and  flowers,  of 
which  the  varieties  were  rare,  excellent  and 
beautiful;  and  the  manner  in  which  they  were 
disposed  over  the  surface,  unique,  elegant  and 
tasteful.  Espaliers  of  peach,  apricot,  quince, 
and  pear  trees  extended  along  the  exterior, 
confined  to  a  picket  fence ;  while  in  the  middle 
space,  wound  labyrinthine  walks,  skirted  with 
flowering  shrubs,  and  the  eglantine  and  honey- 
suckle flung  their  melliferous  blossoms  over 
bowers  of  various  forms. 

''On  the  south  was  the  vegetable  garden; 
and,  adjoining  this,  a  thrifty  young  orchard, 
embracing  many  varieties  of  fruit,  promising 
abundant  supplies  for  future  use. 

"Not  entirely  neglecting  the  useful  for  the 
ornamental,  Blennerhassett  had  cleared  a  hun- 
dred acres  below,  and  cultivated,  in  great  per- 
fection, the  various  crops  adapted  to  the  soil. 
The  hall  was  a  spacious  room,  its  walls  painted 
a  somber  color,  with  a  beautiful  cornice  of 
plaster,  bordered  with  gilded  moulding,  running 
round  the  lofty  ceiling ;  while  its  furniture  was 
rich,  heavy  and  grand. 


74  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 

"  The  furniture  in  the  drawing-room  was  in 
strong  contrast  with  that  of  the  hall,  light,  airy, 
and  elegant ;  with  splendid  mirrors,  gay-colored 
carpets,  classic  pictures,  rich  curtains,  and  orna- 
ments to  correspond,  arranged  by  Mrs.  Blen- 
nerhassett,  with,  nicest  taste  and  harmonious 
eft'ect. 

"  A  large  quantity  of  silver-plate  ornamented 
the  side-boards  and  decorated  the  tables.  The 
whole  establishment  was  chastened  by  the 
purest  taste,  and  without  that  glare  of  tinsel 
finery  too  common  among  the  wealthy." 

If,  in  connection  with  the  foregoing  quota- 
tion, the  reader  will  refer  to  the  graphic  descrip- 
tion of  Blennerhassett's  beautiful  island  home, 
drawn  by  the  master  hand  of  Wirt  in  the  trea- 
son trial  before  the  United  States  court  at  Eich- 
mond,  Virginia,  he  will  have  quite  a  correct, 
though  romantic  view  of  this  earthly  paradise 
of  beauty.  The  domestic  happiness  that  found 
a  home  in  this  beautiful  place,  was  soon  to  be 
blighted  by  the  approach  of  a  serpent  in  dis- 
guise. The  seductive  wiles  of  Burr — the  per- 
version of  the  too  incredulous  Blennerhassett — 
the  mysterious  expedition — the  treason  trial  of 
1806,  are  all  matters  of  history.  Blennerhassett 
was  reduced  to  poverty,  and  made  repeated 
efforts  to  repair  his  lost  fortunes,  but  with  very 


DEATH  OF  MR.  BLENNERHASSETT  75 

little  success.  In  1815,  Mr.  Dobbins  met  him 
on  the  street  in  a  southern  city,  in  his  bare  feet, 
with  an  instrument  of  music  under  his  arm,  on 
his  way,  as  was  supposed,  to  attend  a  concert, 
for  the  purpose  of  making  a  few  shillings  to 
meet  present  demands. 

After  a  life  of  strange  vicissitude  and  misfor- 
tune, this  unfortunate  man  closed  his  life  on  the 
island  of  Guernsey,  in  the  year  1831,  in  the 
sixty -third  year  of  his  age.  A  few  years  later, 
his  accomplished  wife,  worn  down  by  painful 
anxiety  and  sorrow,  breathed  out  her  life  in  a 
humble  abode  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and 
was  followed  to  the  grave  by  a  few  "  sisters  of 
charity."  She  was  a  lady  of  rare  genius  and 
moral  worth,  and  possessed  commanding  per- 
sonal attractions.  Her  poem,  entitled  the  "  De- 
serted Isle,"  written  after  the  destruction  of  her 
elegant  mansion,  is  touchingly  beautiful,  and 
pervaded  by  a  spirit  of  sadness  awakened  by 
disappointment  and  crushed  hopes. 

Here  is  a  life-lesson  worthy  of  study,  and  it 
should  awaken  a  desire  to  look  to  that  Source 
from  which  true  happiness  is  derived. 

In  a  previous  chapter,  we  have  stated  that 
when  Mr.  Dobbins  left  the  home  of  his  youth, 
he  was  absent  eighteen  years.  During  his 
absence  his  mother  died,  and  he  did  not  learn 


76  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

of  her  death,  until  within  nine  miles  of  home. 
With  a  bounding  heart,  full  of  the  inspiration 
of  hope,  he  hastened  to  his  early  home,  but 
alas!  his  fond  expectations  were  suddenly 
blighted  by  the  sad  news  of  her  death.  This 
intelligence  fell  like  a  leaden  weight  upon  his 
heart,  and  to  a  soul  like  his,  that  was  all  alive 
with  filial  affection,  it  must  have  been  sad 
indeed. 

During  his  absence  from  home,  Kev.  Mr. 
Dewey,  a  superannuated  minister,  had  made  a 
tour  to  the  south  for  his  health,  and  on  his 
return  he  called  upon  Mrs.  Dobbins.  She 
learned  that  this  gentleman  had  been  to  the 
south,  and  inquired  of  him  if  he  had  seen  or 
heard  of  a  man  by  the  name  of  Robert  Dobbins, 
at  the  same  time  giving  a  description  of  her  son. 
He  replied,  "Oh  yes!  I  have  seen  him  and 
heard  him  preach."  She  did  not  know  until 
then  that  her  son  was  even  religious. 

When  this  news  fell  upon  her  ear,  her  soul 
was  filled  with  joy,  and  she  shouted  aloud,  and 
said,  "  now  I  can  die  in  peace."  She  lived  to 
realize  an  answer  to  her  prayers  in  behalf  of 
her  son,  and  then  the  Lord  called  her  home. 

The  chords  of  affection  that  bound  the  heart 
of  Mr.  Dobbins  to  his  sainted  mother  were 
strong   and    indissoluble,   and   during   all   the 


EXECUTIOy  OF  A  CRIMINAL.  77 

long  years  of  his  life — even  down  to  the  day  of 
his  death,  he  carried  in  his  pocket-book  a  lock 
of  his  mother's  hair,  and  tears  of  affection  would 
fall  upon  his  furrowed  cheeks  when  speaking  of 
her  early  love  and  interest  for  his  welfare  and 
happiness. 

In  the  year  1811,  he  fell  in  company  with 
liOrenzo  Dow  under  circumstances  of  painful 
interest.  A  man  by  the  name  of  David  Becket 
was  to  be  executed  for  the  murder  of  a  man  by 
the  name  of  Lightfoot.  Revs.  Dow  and  Dob- 
bins went  in  company  to  the  cell  of  the  con- 
demned man,  on  the  morning  of  the  day  of 
execution.  It  appears  that  another  person  had 
been  implicated,  and  was  supposed  to  be  a  party 
to  the  crime  for  which  Becket  was  about  to 
suffer.  The  object  of  the  visit  was  to  elicit 
the  truth  from  the  condemned  man,  who  of 
course  knew  the  facts  in  the  case. 

Mr.  Dow  first  interrogated  the  prisoner,  and 
being  dissatisfied  with  his  answers,  left  the  cell. 
Mr.  Dobbins  then  conversed  with  the  prisoner, 
and  urged  him  to  tell  the  truth,  and  spoke  of 
the  awful  consequences  of  appearing  before  his 
Judge  with  a  falsehood  upon  his  soul.  He 
finally  succeeded  in  eliciting  from  the  prisoner 
the  fact  that  the  implicated  man  was  not  guilty. 
The  prisoner  was  then  taken  to  the  scaffold,  and 


78  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

Kev.  Mr.  Williamson,  a  Presbyterian  minister, 
delivered  a  sermon  from  the  text,  "Oh '  Israel, 
thou  hast  destroyed  thyself,  but  in  me  is  thy 
help."  Mr.  Dow  then  delivered  an  address 
from  the  words,  "Rejoice,  oh  young  man  in 
thy  youth,  and  let  thy  heart  cheer  thee  in  the 
days  of  thy  youth,"  &;c.,  after  which  Rev. 
Abbott  Godard  delivered  an  exhortation,  and 
then  Mr.  Dobbins  addressed  the  people.  The 
prisoner  made  a  confession  three-quarters  of  an 
hour  long,  and  exhorted  the  young  people  to 
avoid  the  paths  of  vice ;  and  said,  that  intem- 
perance, gambling  and  base  company,  had  been 
the  cause  of  his  downfall.  At  the  close  of  his 
thrilling  appeal  to  the  young  people — in  the 
spirit  of  apparent  repentance  and  trust  in  the 
Redeemer,  he  was  executed  in  West  Union, 
Adams  county,  Ohio. 

"Look  not  thou  upon  the  wine  when  it  is 
red,  when  it  giveth  his  color  in  the  cup,  when 
it  moveth  itself  aright;  at  the  last  it  biteth  like 
a  serpent,  and  stingeth  like  ap  adder." — Prov. 
xxiii.  31,  32. 

"  Who  hath  woe  ?  who  hath  sorrow  ?  who 
hath  contentions?  who  hath  babbling?  who 
hath  wounds  without  cause  ?  who  hath  redness 
of  eyes  ?  They  that  tarry  long  at  the  wine." — 
Prov.  xxiii.  29,  30. 


GREAT  CAMP-MEETING.  79 

At  the  meeting  to  whicli  we  liave  referred  at 
the  close  of  the  preceding  chapter,  a  gentleman 
was  present  by  the  name  of  William  Wells,  the 
founder  of  Wellsville,  Ohio.  This  gentleman 
invited  Mr.  Dobbins  to  preach  at  his  house, 
which  was  accepted.  Soon  after  he  held  another 
meeting  at  the  same  place,  at  which  there  were 
several  conversions.  This  was  the  beginning  of 
a  great  work  of  grace  at  that  place ;  in  three 
months  from  this  time,  Rev.  Thornton  Flem- 
ming,  Presiding  Elder  of  the  district,  organized 
a  society  of  forty-three  members.  After  exer- 
cising his  gifts  for  a  time,  Mr.  Dobbins  received 
license  to  exhort,  and  subsequently  to  preach, 
from  Rev.  Mr.  Flemming. 

About  this  time  an  event  occurred,  well  cal- 
culated to  try  the  courage  of  the  young  preacher. 
A  camp-meeting  was  held  at  Short  creek,  Yir- 
ginia,  at  a  place  known  as  "  Spohr's  camp- 
ground." It  was  intended  to  be  a  general 
rallying-time.  The  meeting  commenced  on 
Thursday.  It  was  supposed  that  there  were 
eleven  thousand  persons  present,  and  there 
were  one  hundred  and  ninety-six  carriages  and 
vehicles  of  various  kinds,  and  thirty-six  preach- 
ers. 

On  account  of  the  immense  congregation,  two 
stands  were  erected  at  a  suitable  distance  apart, 


80  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBIXS. 

and  it  was  proposed  to  have  preaching  at  both 
these  stands  at  the  same  time  on  Sabbath  at 
eleven-  o'clock.  As  the  time  drew  near,  tliis 
programme  was  changed,  and  it  was  decided 
that  as  Mr.  Dobbins  had  a  strong  voice,  he 
could  be  heard  by  the  entire  multitude ;  so  he 
was  selected  to  preach  at  eleven  o'clock  Sab- 
bath morning.  When  he  was  informed  of  this 
arrangement,  his  heart  sank  within  him,  and  he 
was  nearly  overpowered  with  an  indescribable 
sense  of  incompetency  for  the  work  to  which 
he  had  been  assigned. 

The  hour  came,  and  while  entering  the  stand 
he  was  seized  with  a  pain  in  the  side,  which,  for 
a  few  moments,  appeared  almost  beyond  endu- 
rance. Kev.  Mr.  Flemming,  who  was  the 
Superintendent  of  this  meeting,  gave  Mr.  Dob- 
bins a  word  of  comfort,  requested  him  to  be 
seated,  and  to  be  composed,  and  said,  further, 
that  Brother  John  Meek  would  give  out  the 
first  hymn,  and  offer  the  opening  prayer,  and 
affectionately  advised  Mr.  Dobbins  to  be  calm. 
'This  was  a  great  relief  to  the  oppressed  spirit 
of  the  young  preacher.  After  the  preliminary 
services  by  Brother  Meek,  Mr.  Dobbins  rose  in 
the  pulpit,  and  at  this  point  Mr.  Flemming 
whispered  in  his  ear  as  follows:  "Don't  pitch 
vour  voice  too  high,  but  begin  in  a  moderate 


GREAT  CAMP -MEETING.  81 

tone.  Your  voice  is  fully  sufficient  to  reach 
all  the  people."  Mr.  Dobbins  then  announced 
the  following  text :  "  Worship  God." — Rev. 
xxii.  9. 

His  divisions  were  simple,  and  may  be  re- 
corded here.     They  were  as  follows : 

I.  What  is  there  in  God  that  renders  him  an 
object  of  worship  ? 

II.  How  can  we  worship  him  aright  ? 

III.  The  consequences  that  flow  from  accept- 
able worship. 

You  may  now,  in  imagination,  see  this  young 
preacher,  not  more  than  thirty  years  old,  stand- 
ing before  this  vast  audience.  All  fear  has  left 
him;  he  is  calm  and  self-possessed,  and  has  full 
command  of  all  his  powers. 

At  the  time  of  which  we  write,  "  Paine's  Age 
of  Reason "  had  recently  made  its  appearance, 
and  was  now  generally  in  circulation.  The 
pulpits  of  the  land  were  arrayed  against  this 
form  of  infidelity,  and  Mr.  Dobbins,  though 
comparatively  a  young  man,  had  read  some- 
what extensively  upon  the  subject,  for  he  at 
one  period  in  his  life  was  inclined  to  be  some- 
what skeptical  upon  the  subject  of  Christianity. 
He,  being  an  honest  inquirer  after  truth,  had 
availed  himself  of  all  the  facilities  at  command, 
to  satisfy  his  own  mind  upon  the  subject.  He 
6 


82  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

had  consulted  "  Watson's  Reply  to  Paine,"  the 
"  Theocrat,"  a  small,  but  powerfully  written 
work,  prepared  expressly  to  meet  the  demands 
of  the  times,  "Prideau's  Connections,"  and 
kindred  publications,  so  that  he  was  not  en- 
tirely unprepared  to  meet  the  demands  of  the 
hour. 

And  now,  with  a  voice  of  unusual  compass  and 
power,  he  held  the  vast  audience  spell-bound 
for  two  hours,  driving  the  votaries  of  the  French 
philosophy  from  the  arena  of  conflict,  and 
searching  out  the  charlatan  skeptic  in  his 
hiding-place,  and  exposing  the  nakedness  of 
the  ground. 

And  now  the  preacher's  face  beams  with 
chastened  beauty  as  he  pours  forth  the  direct 
truths  of  the  Gospel  into  the  willing  ears  of 
congregated  thousands,  while  a  cloud  of  glory 
rests  upon  the  encampment,  and  a  great  victory 
is  achieved  by  the  votaries  of  truth. 

At  this  camp-meeting  there  were  about  three 
hundred  conversions,  and  it  is  probable  that 
the  services  to  which  we  have  referred  contribu- 
ted to  a  considerable  extent  towards  this  end. 

Rev.  Dr.  Brown  in  his  Autobiography  refers 
to  these  early  days,  and  thus  speaks  of  Mr. 
Dobbins :  "  While  we  yet  lived  at  the  river  in 
Yirginia,    Rev.    Robert     Dobbins    established 


'       GREAT  CAMP- MEETING.  83 

preaching  at  the  house  of  my  uncle,  Col.  Rich- 
ard Brown.  He  was  called  the  great  Methodist 
preacher.  The  border  settlers  generally  turned 
out  to  hear  him.  Much  religious  interest  was 
waked  up,  and  he  certainly  would  have  done 
good  had  he  continued  his  labors." 

A  circumstance  occurred  at  the  meeting  to 
which  we  have  referred,  that  presents  a  peculiar 
phase  of  character,  which  we  will  relate.  Rev. 
James  Quinn  who  was  present  at  the  camp- 
meeting,  called  the  attention  of  Mr.  Dobbins  to 
an  old  sea-captain,  who  had  kneeled  down  all 
alone  on  a  certain  part  of  the  encampment. 
He  was  engaged  in  earnest  prayer.  There  was 
a  mighty  struggle  within,  and  he  was  praying 
with  all  his  soul  for  the  pardoning  mercy  of 
God.  In  the  simplicity  of  his  soul  he  was 
uttering  the  most  horrid  imprecations  upon 
himself,  telling  the  Lord  how  mean  and  insig- 
nificant he  was,  and  what  a  fool  he  had  been 
for  neglecting  the  offers  of  salvation  for  so 
many  years. 

Revs.  Quinn  and  Dobbins  listened  to  him 
for  some  time,  unobserved;  finally,  noticing 
these  ministers,  he  looked  up  inquiringly  into 
Mr.  Quinn's   face,  and   said,    ''Aint   I  a  poor 

d d  fool  ?"   The  tears  rolling  down  his  cheeks, 

lie  continued,    "  Will  God   have  mercy  upon 


84  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

such  a  (1 son  of  a  b as  I  am  ?"     He  then 

resumed  his  prayer,  and  by  the  use  of  epithets 
familiar  to  him,  endeavored  to  make  himself 
appear  as  mean  as  possible.  Here  we  have  a 
peculiar  phase  of  humanity.  This  man  was 
under  deep  conviction  of  sin,  and  felt  his  deep 
poverty  of  spirit  and  unworthiness,  and  ex- 
pressed this  felt  condition  by  the  use  of  terms 
with  which  he  was  familiar.  The  sjxirit  of  this 
penitent  man  is  worthy  of  imitation  by  all 
impenitent  souls.  His  ignorance  in  the  use  of 
words  was  doubtless  overlooked  by  the  Holy 
One,  while  his  sincere  penitence  resulted  in  his 
reception  of  the  pardoning  grace  of  God. 
Beneath  that  rough  exterior  there  was  an  hon- 
est, burdened  heart,  seeking  the  blessing  of 
salvation.  God  heard  his  cry,  and  before  the 
close  of  that  camp-meeting  he  was  enabled  to 
rejoice  in  a  sin-pardoning  God.  God  seeth  not 
as  man  seeth ;  for  man  (too  often)  looketh  on 
the  outward  appearance,  but  the  Lord  looketh 
at  the  heart." 


REMOVAL.  85 


CHAPTER  YI. 

Eemoval — Ordained  to  Deacon's  Orders  by  Bishop  As"bury — To  Elder's 
Orders  by  Bishop  McKendree— Removal— Great  Reformation— The  boy 
Henry  Bascom — Engaged  in  a  Trading  Tour — An  affray  at  Natchez — 
Mr.  Dobbins'  Sermon — His  views  endorsed  by  a  Natchez  Editor- 
Conversation  with  a  Slave — Attends  a  Camp-meeting — Description 
of  the  Ground — Services — Failure  in  Trade — Involved  in  Debt — 
Starts  for  Home — Confined  by  Sickness  in  Natchez — A  Slave  Family— 
Toney's  Story— Arrival  Home. 


/I  R.  DOBBINS  thought  it  advisable  to 
change  his  location  again,  and  conse- 
quently removed  to  Adams  county,  Ohio. 
Before  his  removal,  he  was  ordained  to  the 
office  of  Deacon  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  by  Bishop  Asbury,  at  a  camp-meeting 
on  Pike  Run,  August  16,  1808.  He  subse- 
quently received  Elder's  orders  at  the  hands  of 
Bishop  McKendree,  in  Lebanon,  Warren  county, 
Ohio. 

"We  now  find  Mr.  Dobbins  in  Adams  county, 
on  the  waters  of  Three  Mile,  ten  miles  north  of 
Maysville,  Kentucky.  At  this  place  he  com- 
menced preaching  as  an  unstationed  minister ; 
and  in  eighteen  months  organized  a  church  of 
one  hundred  and  nineteen  members.  He  again 
removed  to  the  east  fork  of  Eagle  Creek,  in 


86  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

Brown  count}^,  Ohio.  A  great  reformation 
occurred  at  this  place,  which  was,  to  a  consid- 
erable extent,  effected  through  his  instrumen- 
tality. 

Here  he  made  a  purchase  of  land  for  a  home, 
and  at  every  opportunity  proclaimed  the  glad 
tidings  of  salvation  to  all  who  were  willing  to 
hear.  While  preaching  in  this  neighborhood, 
he  was  much  impressed  with  the  appearance 
of  a  little  boy,  ten  or  twelve  years  old,  who 
attended  the  ministry  of  the  AVord,  quite  regu- 
larly. He  had  a  beautiful  round  face,  and  a 
sparkling  eye  beaming  with  affection  and  intel- 
ligence. There  was  a  beautiful  blending  of 
simplicity  and  graceful  dignity  of  manner  about 
this  little  boy,  that  drew  all  hearts  to  him  ;  he 
was  rarely  seen  to  indulge  in  the  common  sports 
of  boyhood,  but  in  his  leisure  moments  was 
almost  always  seen  with  a  book  in  his  hand. 
This  boy  was  Henry  Bascom,  so  well  known  in 
after  years  as  one  of  the  brightest  lights  of  the 
American  pulpit.  , 

The  pecuniary  circumstances  of  Mr.  Dobbins 
were  such,  that  he  concluded  to  try  his  fortune 
in  a  different  field  of  enterprise.  So,  after 
remaining  in  Brown  county  three  years,  he 
resolved  on  a  trading  tour  to  New  Orleans. 
He  proposed  to  trade  principally  in  flour,  so 


ENGAGED  IN  TRADING,  87 

he  made  every  necessary  ariangement,  and  on 
the  eighth  day  of  June,  1815,  he  set  out  with 
his  boat  for  New  Orleans. 

While  on  his  way  to  New  Orleans,,he  stopped 
three  weeks  at  Natchez.  While  here  a  circum- 
stance occurred  which  we  will  relate,  as  an 
illustration  of  ministerial  fidelity.  An  affray 
occurred  between  two  men  by  the  names  of 
Campbell  and  McCormick.  These  men  had 
been  captains  under  General  Jackson  at  the 
battle  of  New  Orleans.  A  spirit  of  jealousy 
had  been  awakened  in  the  mind  of  Campbell 
on  account  of  certain  promotions  conferred  on 
McCormick.  These  men  happened  to  meet  in 
Natchez,  and  without  saying  a  word,  Campbell 
seized  a  yard  stick  (they  being  in  a  store)  and 
struck  McCormick  on  the  head,  knocking  him 
down.  McCormick  soon  recovered  and  drew  a 
dirk  and  stabbed  Campbell,  who  fell,  and  in 
fifteen  minutes  expired. 

On  the  following  Sabbath  Mr.  Dobbins 
preached  in  Natchez,  and  in  the  course  of  his 
sermon,  had  occasion  to  speak  of  the  current 
sins  of  the  day,  and  with  the  sword  of  the  Spirit 
entered  within  the  confines  of  practical  life,  and 
with  scathing  effect  uncovered  the  rotten  social 
sentiment  that  predominated  to  a  great  extent 
among  many  of  the  southern  chivalry.     In  his 


88  LTF,E  OF   RKV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

discourse  he  spoke  of  the  affray  of  the  preceding 
week,  and  condemned  in  severe  terms  the 
practice  of  carrying  deadly  weapons,  and  the 
consequenoes  resulting  therefrom.  An  editor 
of  one  of  the  city  papers  published  an  out- 
line of  this  sermon,  and  commended,  in  glow- 
ing  terms,  the  independence  of  the  preacher. 

Soon  after  his  arrival  in  Natchez,  he,  in  com- 
pany with  another  trader,  went  a  short  distance 
from  the  city,  where  they  saw  a  number  of 
slaves  burying  one  of  their  dead,  when  the 
following  colloquy  ensued.  Mr.  Dobbins,  ad- 
dressing one  of  these  sable  sons  of  the  south, 
said : 

''  I  see  you  are  not  free  from  death  here." 

Slave. — "  Oh  !  no,  massa,  de  people  die  here." 

Mr.  D. — "  I  suppose  you  have  no  preachers 
to  perform  religious  services  for  you." 

Slave. — "Oh,  yes!  massa,  plenty  ob  preach- 
ers;" and  then,  pointing  respectively  to  several 
churches  that  could  be  seen  in  the  distance,  he 
said,  "Dat  is  a  Catholic  church,  and  dat  is  a 
Presbyterian  church,  and  dat  is  a  Methodist 
church." 

"  Ah !"  said  Mr.  Dobbins,  "  have  you  Metho- 
dists about  here?" 

"Oh,  yes!  massa,"  he  replied,  ''and  de 
preachers  are  in  town ;  Massa  Winans  and  Sel- 


CAMP-MEETING.  89 

lars,  and  Massa  Seeley  Paine,  and  dej  are  goin' 
to  have  a  great  camp-meetin'  to  commence  to- 
morrow (Saturday)  six  miles  from  heah;  at 
Pine  ridge." 

On  the  next  day  Mr.  Dobbins  walked  out  to 
the  encampment,  and  was  soon  recognized  by 
Messrs.  Winans  and  Paine,  and  by  request 
preached  for  them  that  day,  and  was  urged  to 
remain  over  Sabbath  and  preach  again.  The 
arrangement  of  this  encampment  was  peculiar  ; 
about  two-thirds  of  the  ground  was  in  front  of 
the  stand,  and  the  remaining  third  in  the  rear. 
The  white  people  occupied  the  seats  in  front, 
and  the  negroes  occupied  the  ground  in  the 
rear,  and  a  fence  nine  rails  high  divided  these 
departments.  In  the  distance  could  be  seen  a 
Presbyterian  church. 

The  Sabbath  came,  shedding  its  beauteous 
light  upon  the  consecrated  ground,  dotted  with 
tents,  and  in  due  time  the  trumpet  summoned 
the  people  to  their  respective  places  to  listen  to 
the  preached  Word.  Mr.  Dobbins  announced 
the  following  text :  "  He  hath  showed  thee,  O 
man,  what  is  good ;  and  what  doth  the  Lord 
require  of  thee,  but  to  do  justly,  and  to  love 
mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  with  thy  God. — 
Micah  vi.  8.  This  was  a  theme  well  calculated 
to  develop .  the  special  power  of  the  preacher. 


90  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

There  are  those  still  living,  who  well  remember 
his  masterly  treatment  of  the  great  attributes 
of  the  Deity,  Justice  and  Mtrcy. 

The  doctrines  of  the  text  were  presented  with 
liberty  and  effect.  During  the  sermon  he  turned 
round  and  addressed  the  colored  people  in  the 
rear,  and  with  thrilling  effect  pointed  them  to 
that  better  land  where  the  distinction  between 
master  and  slave  was  unknown — exhorted  them 
to  be  obedient  to  their  masters,  and  above  all 
to  "walk  humbly  with  God."  The  burning 
thoughts  and  glowing  fervor  of  the  preacher 
were  too  much  for  these  hopeful  sons  and 
daughters  of  Ham,  and,  as  might  have  been 
expected,  their  cups  ran  over,  and  a  shout  of 
joy  arose  like  a  tempest  from  these  ebony 
worshipers,  so  that  the  noise  was  heard  afar 
off 

This  was  one  of  the  great  camp-meetings  of 
the  age,  the  fruits  of  which  time  may  never 
know,  but  which  eternity  will  unfold. 

Like  many  other  preachers  who  engage  in 
trading  with  the  expectation  of  improving 
their  condition,  Air.  Dobbins'  effort  in  this 
connection  proved  a  failure ;  and  not  only  so, 
it  also  involved  him  in  a  debt  of  seven  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars.  He  returned  home  broken 
down  financially,  and  was  under  the  necessity 


FAILURE  IN  TRADE.  91 

of  selling  his  farm  to  pay  his  debts.  He  not 
only  suffered  in  his  finances,  but  the  trip  came 
very  near  costing  him  his  life,  for  while  at  New 
Orleans  he  was  taken  sick,  and  while  yet  in  a 
feeble  condition,  started  for  home  on  horse- 
back, there  being  only  two  steamers  on  the 
Mississippi  river  at  that  time,  and  the  fare  from 
New  Orleans  to  Louisville  was  eighty  dollars. 
He  started  on  his  journey  wan  and  feeble,  and 
succeeded  in  reaching  Natchez,  a  distance  of 
some  three  hundred  miles,  when  he  was  so 
reduced  as  to  render  it  necessary  to  discontinue 
his  journey.  Here  he  was  confined  to  his  bed 
four  weeks,  but  was  providentially  placed  in 
charge  of  Dr.  Grustin,  an  attentive  and  gentle- 
manly physician. 

While  confined  to  his  room,  he  became  inter- 
ested in  a  negro  family,  who  occupied  the  base- 
ment of  the  house  in  which  he  lay.  This  family 
consisted  of  an  old  man — a  colored  preacher  by 
the  name  of  Toney — his  wife,  and  an  old  colored 
woman,  who  was  past  work.  This  family  was 
religious,  and  old  Toney  became  very  much 
interested  in  his  sick  massa  Dobbins.  Mr. 
Dobbins  could  hear  their  expressions  of  interest 
for  his  welfare.  When  Toney  returned  home 
from  his  work,  he  would  inquire  of  his  wife 
how  the  sick  massa  was.  "  Bad  enough,"  would 


92  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

be  the  reply;  then  Toney  would  bow  in  prayer, 
and  pray  with  great  fervency  for  "  sick  massa." 
The  ascending  prayer,  all  aglow  with  living  fire, 
was  the  prayer  of  faith — a  faith  that  takes  hold 
on  God;  after  the  prayer  there  would  be  a 
short  pause,  only  long  enough  for  a  brief  relax- 
ation of  the  spirit,  and  then  his  wife  would 
begin,  and  offer  her  simple,  soul-stirring  orison 
to  the  same  Omnipotent  Friend  whose  ear  is 
ever  open  to  hear  the  prayer  of  simple  faith. 
Then  the  old  lady  who  was  '"'  past  work,"  would 
bring  her  offering  and  lay  it  upon  the  altar,  and 
under  the  influence  of  a  present  inspiration,  it 
would  kindle  and  burn,  and  the  holy  incense 
would  ascend  to  heaven ;  and  soon  a  response 
would  descend  upon  that  same  course  on  which 
the  petition  ascended,  filling  all  hearts  with  joy 
unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  Mr.  Dobbins 
sought  an  opportunity  for  an  interview  with 
this  devoted  African  family.  Whenever  Toney 
returned  from  his  work,  he  invariably,  before 
leaving,  would'  go  up  stairs,  and  approach  very 
softly  the  door  of  the  chamber  in  which  the 
sick  man  lay,  and  inquire  after  the  health  of 
"sick  massa." 

He  would  not   enter  the  room,  but  as  .the 
door   stood  a  little  ajar,  he  would   stand   and 


make  his  inquiries.  At  one  of  these  inter- 
views, Mr.  Dobbins  invited  Toney  in,  who, 
with  characteristic  modesty,  complied,  and  gave 
Mr.  Dobbins  the  following  narrative :  "  I  was 
owned  by  a  gentleman  in  Maryland,  and  had 
my  sleeping  apartment  convenient  to  my  master, 
so  as  to  be  ready  to  attend  punctually  to  all  his 
wants,  I  being  his  servant  boy.  Finally,  my 
master  died,  and  I  fell  into  the  hands  of  a  youug 
mistress — my  old  master's  daughter.  My  young 
mistress  finally  married,  and  her  husband  was 
a  cross,  violent  man,  and  abused  me  yery  much. 
Finally,  I  was  sold  to  a  trader  and  brought  to 
this  city,  and  fell  into  the  hands  of  my  present 
master.  Here  my  troubles  began.  I  was  con- 
fined to  a  peck  of  corn  a  week.  I  wanted  meat, 
and  thought  I  would  certainly  die  without  it. 
With  these  feelings,  I  concluded  there  would  be 
no  harm  in  killing  a  hog.  I  knew  where  a  num- 
ber lay,  and  took  my  axe  and  started  to  the  place 
with  the  full  intention  of  having  some  meat.  On 
reaching  the  place,  I  thought,  before  proceeding 
further,  I  had  better  pray ;  so  I  kneeled  down  and 
asked  the  Lord  if  there  would  be  any  harm  in 
doing  this  thing.  After  prayer,  I  arose  from  my 
knees,  and  something  within  me  told  me  not  to 
kill  the  hog.     So  I  concluded  not  to  do  as  I 


94  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 

had  intended,  and  I  felt  very  happy,  and  turned 
back  towards  my  quarters.  As  I  was  returning, 
happy  in  spirit,  I  saw  an  opossum  lying  in  the 
road  and  killed  it,  and  " — at  this  point  his  emo- 
tions were  wrought  up  to  the  highest  pitch,  and 
he  exclaimed :  "  Glory  to  God,  I  got  meat,  and 
a  clear  conscience,  too." 

Such  was  the  story  of  Toney,  the  African 
preacher,  and  there  is  doubtless  much  of  true 
Christian  philosophy  in  the  latter  part  of  his 
narrative.  There  are  many  acts  of  doubtful 
propriety  in  which  persoas  are  inclined  to 
indulge,  which,  if  submitted  to  the  same  test  as 
the  above,  would  give  a  different  direction  to 
thought  and  action. 

The  indisposition  of  the  human  heart  to  seek 
direction  from  Heaven  in  all  matters  of  inter- 
est, is  a  fruitful  cause  of  error  and  sin.  We 
have  a  guide  to  direct  us,  and  that  guide  we 
should  follow.  We  have  the  Word  of  God, 
and  the  Spirit  of  God  to  lead  us.  We  have  the 
Word  at  command  which  we  may  consult  at  our 
leisure,  and  in  that  Word  we  have  the  following 
beautiful  sentiment :  "  For  as  many  as  are  led 
by  the  Spirit  of  God,  they  are  the  sons  of  God." 
Komans  viii.  14.  But  let  no  one  regard  the  per- 
verted whims  of  his  own  imagination  as  being 


ARRIVAL  AT   HOME.  95 

dictates  of  the  Divine  Spirit ;  for  all  the  influ- 
ences of  the  Spirit  of  God  are  in  perfect  har- 
mony with  his  Word,  and  in  opposition  to  the 
selfish  isolation  of  the  human  spirit. 

The  dictates  of  the  unrenewed  heart  are 
selfish.  The  Word  and  Spirit  of  God  leads  our 
minds  into  a  new  channel.  The  converting 
grace  of  God  does  not  add  new  powers  to  the 
soul,  but  changes,  and  gives  a  new  character 
to  the  powers  we  already  possess.  It  changes 
the  character  of  the  will,  and  this  change  is 
thorough ;  it  is  a  complete  revolution  of  the 
determining  power  of  the  mind.  The  practical 
language  of  the  unrenewed  heart  is,  "  I  will 
not ;"  while  the  feeling  of  the  sincere  penitent 
is,  "Oh!  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find  him. 
I  would  come  even  to  his  seat." 

When  that  mysterious  change  called  the 
"new  birth,"  is  wrought  in  the  heart  by  the 
influence  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  in  obedience  to 
the  truth,  it  is  productive  of  an  entire  revolu- 
tion of  the  affections ;  the  sinner  loves  sin ;  the 
sincere  penitent  and  the  Christian  hate  it. 
We  need  not  further  urge  truths  that  are  so 
plain  to  every  one  who  is  in  the  habit  of 
"  searching  the  Scriptures."  Let  the  voice  of 
Heaven  be  obeyed,  and  let  God's  word  and 
Spirit  lead  us. 


96  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

We  will  observe  at  the  close  of  this  chapter, 
that  Mr.  Dobbins,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  and 
the  attentions  of  a  kind  physician,  was  enabled 
to  reach  his  home  in  safety. 


SELLS  HIS  FARM  TO  PAY  HIS  DEBTS.         97 


CHAPTER  YIL 

Sells  his  Farm  to  pay  his  Debts — Rents  a  Farm — Removal  to  White 
Oak — Buys  a  Farm — Death  of  his  Wife — Travels  a  Circuit — Second 
Marriage — Embarrassed  on  account  of  Security  Debts — Sent  to  the 
Legislature  of  Ohio — Political  Preferences — Removal  to  Fayette 
County,  Ohio — Settles  five  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Washington  C. 
H.— Urged  to  make  Stump  Speeches,  but  declines— Preaches  a  Sermon 
in  Wilmington,  Ohio,  to  his  constituents,  in  which  he  points  out 
their  duty  as  American  citizens — Reflections — His  Influence  in  the 
Ohio  Legislature — Church  Government — Union  Societies — He  is 
Chairman  of  a  Union  Society — Rev.  A.  McGuire — Revs.  J.  Flood,  sr., 
and  J.  Dalbey,  sr. — Mr.  Dobbins  makes  application  to  the  proper 
authorities  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  a  letter  of  his 
standing — Attends  the  Second  Session  of  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference 
of  the  Associated  Methodist  Churches — A  Call  from  the  West — 
Appointed  to  Concord  Circuit— Rev.  A.  H.  Bassett — Anecdote — 
Reflections. 

AS  we  have  intimated  in  the  preceding 
chapter,  Mr.  Dobbins,  after  his  return 
from  the  south,  was  under  the  necessity  of 
selling  his  farm  to  pay  his  debts. 

He  then  resorted  to  the  only  alternative  left 
him,  and  rented  a  farm,  which  he  occupied  for 
some  time,  and  then  removed  to  a  place  called 
White  Oak,  on  a  piece  of  land  known  as  the 
"Horse  Shoe  Bottom,"  in  what  was  then 
Adams  county,  Ohio.  Here  he  purchased  a 
farm,  and  continued  to  preach  the  Gospel  as 
often  as  circumstances  would  permit.  He  was 
7 


98  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT  DOBBINS. 

elected  county  collector,  which  enabled  him  to 
command  means  sufficient  to  assist  considerably 
in  paying  for  his  farm. 

We  have  seen,  thus  far,  that  the  life  of  the 
subject  of  these  pages  was  a  life  of  vicissitude 
and  trial.  A  new  scene  now  opens,  unlike  any 
other  through  which  he  had  passed,  and  well 
calculated  to  stir  his  spirit  to  its  utmost  depths. 
The  wife  of  his  youth,  who  had  shared  his  joys 
and  sorrows,  is  stricken  down  by  the  hand  of 
disease.  She  who  had  administered  words  of 
encouragement  in  the  cloudy  and  dark  day, 
when  he  was  seeking  the  pardoning  grace  of 
God,  and  who  contributed  to  buoy  up  his  sink- 
ing spirit  when  the  hand  of  adversity  was  upon 
him,  and  by  her  smiles  and  earnest  pffection 
nerved  his  manly  heart  when  the  cloud  of 
financial  pressure  weighed  him  down,  was 
herself  laid  upon  a  bed  of  affliction.  She  lin- 
gered for  a  time  with  that  terrible  disease,  the 
Flux,  and  died  in  great  peace,  September, 
1818.  Mr.  Dobbins  had  lived  with  this  lady 
twenty-seven  years,  and  by  her  he  had  ten  chil- 
dren, three  sons  and  seven  daughters,  two  of 
whom  survive — Sarah  Gutridge  and  Margaret 
Noleman. 

The  angel  of  his  household  is  now  gone. 
How  desolate    that    home,    which    was    once 


SECOND   MARRIAGE.  99 

lighted  up  by  her  smiles,  and  rendered  a  para- 
dise by  her  presence !  A  void  is  made  in  his 
heart  that  renders  him  lonely  indeed.  In  this 
bereaved  condition  he  discontinued  house-keep- 
ing, and  sold  his  farm,  and  was  employed  by 
Eev.  Mr.  McCoombs,  a  Presiding  Elder  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  to  travel  on  Eagle 
Creek  circuit.  After  the  lapse  of  a  suitable 
time,  he  formed  an  acquaintance  with  Miss  Jane 
Creed,  a  young  lady  of  fine  personal  appear- 
ance and  excellent  character,  to  whom  he  was 
married  June  24,  1819.  This  lady  was  the 
daughter  of  Matthew  and  Elizabeth  Creed. 

By  this  lady  he  had  four  children,  three  of 
whom,  survive,  viz :  Nancy  Blue,  Leonard  and 
Russel  Dobbins.  After  his  marriasre  with 
Miss  Creed,  he  removed  to  the  neighborhood 
of  Jamestown,  in  Green  county,  Ohio,  (1819) 
and  as  opportunities  offered,  preaching  the 
Gospel  as  an  unstationed  minister.  Here  he 
became  embarrassed  on  account  of  security 
debts,  and  was  compelled  to,  struggle  hard  to 
keep  above  the  wave. 

He  remained  in  this  region  twelve  years,  and 
represented  Green  county  in  the  Legislature  of 
the  State  of  Ohio  two  successive  terms.  He 
finally  removed  from  Green  to  Fayette  county, 
and  settled  on   Sugar  Creek,  five  and  a  half 


100  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

miles  west  of  Wasliington,  the  county  seat.  Ho 
also  represented  this  county  in  the  State  Legis- 
lature two  successive  terms,  which  position  he 
filled  with  honor  to  himself,  and  to  the  satisfac- 
tion of  his  constituents.  With  regard  to  his 
political  preferences,  he  belonged  to  what  was 
then  known  as  the  Whij  Party,  and  the  writer, 
in  conversation  with  a  gentleman  of  Clark 
county,  who  sat  by  the  side  of  Mr.  Dobbins  in 
the  legislative  halls  of  the  State,  said,  that  any 
measure  of  importance  proposed  by  him  was 
rarely,  if  ever,  contested  by  members  of  that 
body.  While  a  candidate  for  the  Legislature, 
he  was  opposed  to  stump-speaking  for  political 
effect,  though  frequently  urged  to  do  so  by  his 
friends. 

During  a  political  canvass,  while  his  name 
was  before  the  people  as  a  candidate  for  the 
Legislature,  being  in  Wilmington,  Ohio,  he 
was  beset  on  every  hand  by  the  friends  of  his 
party,  to  give  them  a  stump  speech,  but  he 
utterly  refused  to  do  so.  They  then  asked  him 
if  he  would  preach.  He  replied  in  the  affirma- 
tive :  so  a  crowd  repaired  to  a  church  and 
heard  a  sermon  from  their  candidate.  In  that 
sermon  he  took  occasion  to  give  his  views  of 
that  sort  of  political  economy  which  is  clearly 
deducible    from    God's   word.       He   not   only 


A  MEMBER  OF   THE  LEGISLATURE.         101 

enforced  the  duties  of  American  citizens  in 
their  civil  relations,  but  also  the  obligations 
men  are  under  to  God.  The  people  were  satis- 
fied that  he  was  not  only  sound  in  his  political 
faith,  and  fully  able  to  defend  the  great  interests 
at  stake,  but  that  he  was  also  deeply  interested 
for  the  salvation  of  his  fellow  men. 

Few  men  maintained  a  higher  opinion  of  the 
sacredness  of  the  ministerial  office  than  Mr. 
Dobbins,  and  he  did  not  seem  inclined  to  do 
anything  that  would  detract  from  the  dignity 
of  the  Christian  minister.  I  think  it  may  be 
safely  affirmed  that  a  political  life  is  incompati- 
ble with  the  Christian  ministry  ;  not  that  politi- 
cal interests  are  sinful  in  themselves,  or  that  it 
is  not  the  duty  of  ministers,  and  all  other  men 
to  be  sufficiently  advised  in  relation  to  political 
affiiirs,  so  as  to  act  intelligently  as  American 
citizens ;  but  when  ministers  of  the  Gospel 
enter  the  arena  of  political  strife,  and  harangue 
the  multitude  during  great  political  contests, 
it  has,  to  say  the  least,  a  tendency  to  bring 
reproach  upon  the  sacred  office.  Such  minis- 
ters will  be  charged  (however  untrue  it  may  be) 
by  their  opponents  of  using  their  high  position 
as  a  medium  for  the  promotion  of  political  ends. 

Consequently,  a  railing  accusation  is  brought 
against  the  professed   watchman   upon  Zion's 


102  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 

walls.     A  thing  may  be  lawful    in   itself,  but 
not  expedient.     We  may  very  readily  recur  to 
instances   as  illustrations.      The  Apostle  Paul 
said,  *'  If  meat  make  my  brother  to  oftend,  I 
will   eat   no  meat   while   the  world  standeth." 
We  may  remark  still  further,  that  there  are  too 
many  temptations  thrown  in  the  way  of  political 
aspirants  to  render  it  safe  for  a  minister  to  enter 
the  lists  for  political  favor.     The  record  of  Mr. 
Dobbins  in  the  legislative  halls  of  the  State, 
is,  to  say  the  least,  a  favorable  one.     As  far  as 
we  are  advised,  his  speeches  'vere  short,  com- 
prehensive, and  sensible,   and  his  measures,  as 
we  have  said,  rarely  opposed,  which  is  au  evi- 
dence that  he  was  a  leading  mind  in  that  body. 
He  was  very  attentive  to  the  debates  in  the 
House,  and  when  any  matter  of  importance  was 
in  debate,  it  was  interesting  to  see  the  intense 
earnestness  depicted  upon  the  lineaments  of  his 
face. 

His  peculiar  facial  expression  at  such  times, 
drew  the  attention  of  an  artist  who  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  same  body.  A  somewhat  exciting 
debate  occurred  upon  the  presentation  of  a  cer- 
tain bank  bill,  which  was  ably  defended  by  a 
member  from  Cincinnati.  During  the  speech  of 
the  Cincinnatian,  Mr.  Dobbins  sat  with  fixed 
countenance,  evidently  weighing,   with  critical 


A  MEMBER  OF  THE  LEGISLATURE.  103 

care,  tlie  words  and  arguments  of  the  speaker. 
His  earnest  eye,  the  strong  lines  of  his  face,  and 
his  peculiar  attitude,  rendered  him  an  object  of 
special  notice,  and  the  artist-member  drew  a 
characteristic  sketch  of  him,'  and  presented  it  to 
him  at  the  close  of  the  session.  This  sketch  is 
still  preserved  by  a  member  of  the  family. 

At  this  time  the  subject  of  church  govern- 
ment had  awakened  considerable  interest  in  the 
!Mfethodist  Episcopal  Church.  Union  Societies 
were  organized  in  various  places,  and  Mr.  Dob- 
bins was  elected  Chairman  of  the  "  Miami  Dis- 
trict Union  Society,"  and  was  one  of  this  little 
band  who  signed  a  petition  to  the  ensuing  Gene- 
ral Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  praying  for  a  modification  of  the  eccle- 
siastical economy  of  the  church.  Thus  he  be- 
came an  early  advocate  of  reform  in  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church. 

Subsequently  Rev.  Adget  McGuire  was  sent 
out  as  a  pioneer  in  the  new  enterprise,  and 
going  into  the  neighborhood  of  Jamestown, 
Green  county,  Ohio,  organized  a  church  of  thirty 
members,  among  whom  were  Revs.  J.  Flood,  sr. 
and  Joel  Dalbey,  sr.  This  organization  was 
effected  prior  to  the  identification  of  Mr.  Dob- 
bins with  the  new  enterprise.  He  desired  to 
leave  the  old  church  in  a  formal  manner ;  de- 


lOi  LIFE  OF   REV.  ROBERT   DOBBIKS. 

sired  a  letter  from  the  proper  authorities; 
thought  he  was  entitled  to  it,  and  made  appli- 
cation for  a  certificate  of  his  standing  to  Eev. 
John  Collins,  Presiding  Elder  of  the  District,  at 
a  Quarterly  Conference.  In  his  application  he 
addressed  the  Elder  in  Conference  as  follows : — 
''That  which  can  do  you  no  harm,  and  me  a 
great  deal  of  good,  has,  at  least,  a  claim  upon 
charity."  The  Elder  replied,  "  I  fear  you  wish 
to  tax  our  charity  too  high."  He  then  said  %o 
the  Conference,  "Brethern,  if  you  have  any- 
thing against  me,  say  so,  and  bring  me  to  an 
account."  They  replied,  "  We  have  nothing 
against  you,  but  you  are  going  to  become  a 
'  i?afi.,'  ''  [an  abbreviated  epithet,  by  which  the 
early  reformers,  in  many  places,  were  known.) 
He  then  turned  to  the  chair,  and  requested  a 
vote  in  regard  to  his  character,  but  no  atten- 
tion was  paid  to  this  request.  It  does  not  ap- 
pear that  he  ever  received  a  certificate  of  his 
moral  and  ministerial  standing  from  the  authori- 
ties of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  At 
the  ensuing  Annual  Conference,  the  following 
question  was  asked  by  the  presiding  officer: 
"  How  many  local  preachers  within  the  bounds 
of  our  Annual  Conference  have  seceded?" 
Several   were    named   by   the   preachers,    and 


A  CALL  FROM  THE  WEST.        105 

among  the  rest  the  name  of  E.  Dobbins  was 
announced. 

The  first  session  of  the  Ohio  Annual  Confer- 
ence of  the  Associated  Methodist  Churches  was 
held  in  Cincinnati,  October  15,  1829.  Mr. 
Dobbins  was  not  present.  The  second  session 
of  the  same  body  was  also  held  in  Cincinnati, 
September,  1880.  At  this  conference,  Rev.  C. 
Springer  was  elected  President. 

When  Mr.  Dobbins  left  home  to  attend  this 
Conference,  he  had  no  intention  of  receivinof  a 
regular  charge  from  that  body,  his  temporal 
affairs  being  in  a  condition  to  render  his  pres- 
ence at  home  necessary.  The  business  of  the 
Conference  was  attended  to  with  spirit  and 
interest.  All  were  awake,  and  determined,  by 
the  assistance  of  the  great  Head  of  the  Church, 
to  labor  for  the  promotion  of  a  living  Christi- 
anity and  mutual  rights  together.  During 
the  progress  of  the  Conference  a  call  from  the 
west  for  preachers  was  heard.  The  call  was 
pressing,  and  the  question  was,  "  Who  will 
volunteer  to  go  ?" 

Five  young  men  responded  to  the  call,  and 
this  breach  in  the  body  left  a  vacancy  in  the 
Ohio  Conference.  At  the  close  of  one  of  the 
morning  sessions,  Mr.  Dobbins  began  to  reflect 
upon  the  necessities  of  the  situation.     The  mis- 


106  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT  DOBBINS. 

sionary  fire  began  to  burn.  lie  laid  in  the 
balances  his  temporal  demands  and  the  wants 
of  the  church,  and  finally  decided  to  go  into 
the  itinerant  ranks,  and  work  with  all  his  soul 
for  God  and  the  church.  When  his  name  was 
called,  he  responded  favorably,  and  was  ap- 
pointed to  Concord  Circuit. 

On  account  of  the  condition  of  his  temporal 
affairs,  the  Conference  gave  him  three  months 
in  which  to  arrange  them  before  entering  fully 
upon  his  work. 

In  the  meantime,  Kev.  A.  H.  Bassett,  a  young 
preacher,  who  was  now  sent  out  into  the  minis- 
try for  the  first  time,  served  the  circuit  during 
these  three  months,  being  assisted  on  Sabbath 
days  by  the  senior  minister.  This  young  min- 
ister was  reared  principally  in  a  city,  and  was 
"unacquainted,  to  a  great  extent,  with  the  rural 
beauties  and  wonders  of  nature,  as  seen  away 
from  the  crowded  city.  Many  new  objects  of 
interest  arrested  his  attention,  which  were  both 
a  source  of  pleasure  and  instruction,  for  he  was 
a  student  of  Nature  as  well  as  of  Revelation. 
In  passing  a  beautiful  prairie  in  company  with 
a  senior  preacher,  where  there  were  trees  stand- 
ing at  respectful  distances  from  each  other,  as 
sentinels  keeping  guard  over  the  beautiful 
prairie  grounds,  the  young  minister  made  the 


ANECDOTE.  107 

following  inquiry :  "  Brother  Dobbins,  were 
all  these  trees  planted  there?"  and  received 
the  reply  that  "they  were  set  there  by  the 
hand  of  Nature." 

This  young  preacher  appears  to  have  been 
willing  to  obtain  knowledge  from  any  source, 
and  was  never  afraid  to  ask  a  question  for 
information,  and  was,  withal,  modest  and  unas- 
suming, and  scrupulously  careful  not  to  give 
unnecessary  trouble  to  the  families  he  might 
visit.  On  one  occasion  he  went  to  Mr.  Dobbins' 
-in  the  night,  and  supposing  the  family  to  be  in 
bed  and  asleep,  he  had  no  disposition  to  disturb 
them.  He  was  anxious  to  assure  himself  that 
he  was  at  the  right  place ;  and  leading  his  horse 
to  the  barn  and  looking  in,  he  noticed  seats 
still  there  (for  a  hig  meeting  had  been  held  in 
that  barn  some  time  previous),  by  which  he 
knew  he  was  right,  and  so,  leading  his  horse 
into  the  stable,  he  then  climbed  up  into  the 
hay-mow  and  went  to  bed.  In  the  morning 
early  (for  he  was  an  early  riser),  he  went  to  the 
house  with  a  liberal  quantity  of  hay-seed  stick- 
ing to  his  hair  and  clothes,  presenting  an  un- 
mistakable evidence  that  he  had  been  out  late ; 
while  his  presence  and  appearance  created  quite 
a  surprise  to  the  family.    When  asked  where  he 


108  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

been,  he  replied  that  "he  had  slept  in  the  hay- 
mow as  he  did  not  wish  to  disturb  the  family." 

The  good  old  preacher  reproved  him  gently 
for  his  timidity,  for  he  loved  him  as  a  fiither 
loves  a  son.  I  thought  these  little  incidents 
too  good  to  be  lost,  and  the  present  "  Agent  of 
the  Methodist  Book  Concern"  at  Springfield, 
will  excuse  this  reference  to  one  with  whom  he 
is  so  familiar.  Important  lessons  may  be  learned 
from  the  foregoing  incidents.  It  is  doubtless 
true,  that  much  valuable  information  is  lost  on 
account  of  a  proud  spirit.  We  are  so  unwilling 
that  others  should  know  what  we  do  not  know. 
A  desire  for  personal  improvement  and  future 
efficiency  in  life,  should  induce  the  young,  espe- 
cially, to  avail  themselves  of  every  facility  at 
command,  whether  within  the  range  of  obser- 
vation or  social  contact,  to  glean  all  the  know- 
ledge they  possibly  can.  To  ask  a  question  for 
information,  is  not  only  an  evidence  of  an 
inquiring,  but  also  of  a  noble  mind.  One  of  the 
prominent  educators  of  our  State  had  occasion 
to  say  to  the  writer,  that  if  he  could  gain  one 
new  idea  from  a  volume  that  cost  him  a  dollar, 
he  considered  himself  well  repaid.  Nature,  men 
and  books  are  before  us;  all  are  sources  of 
instruction. 

Again :  It  is  said  that  the    "  truth  is  gener- 


EEFLECTIONS.  109 

ally  found  between  extremes ;"  and  we  may 
observe  that  the  case  of  the  young  preacher 
to  whom  we  have  referred,  in  the  selection  of 
his  bed,  furnished  a  practical  evidence  of  an 
extreme  in  one  direction,  and  we  have  known 
preachers  who  overleaped  the  bounds  of  pro- 
priety and  indulged  in  the  other  extreme,  who 
seem  never  to  have  read  the  ''Preacher's  Man- 
ual." 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  people  to  take  care  of 
their  preachers,  and  render  them  as  comfortable 
as  they  can ;  and  it  is  the  duty  of  the  preacher 
to  avoid  giving  unnecessary  trouble  wherever 
he  may  go,  and  not  to  do  as  a  certain  preacher 
whom  I  knew  is  reported  to  have  done.  It  is 
said  that  he  went  to  a  certain  place  after  tea- 
time.  The  lady  of  the  house  was  wearied  with 
family  cares,  and  half  sick  when  the  preacher 
arrived. 

She  inquired  if  he  had  been  to  tea.  He 
replied,  "No,  sister,  but  you  need  not  give 
yourself  any  extra  trouble  on  my  account.  Just 
two  or  three  hot  rolls,  a  cup  of  coffee,  and  a 
chicken,  if  convenient,  as  it  is  late." 

A  ministerial  brother  informed  me  that  the 
above  did  occur,  and  that  the  lady,  in  the  kind- 
ness of  her  heart,  as  sick  as  she  was,  did  all 
this  for  that  man.     If  this  be  so,  it  was  a  down- 


110  LIFE  OF   REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

right  imposition,  and  such  a  man  is  not  worthy 
of  a  church,  or  the  good  things  of  a  Christian 
family.  Let  extremes  be  avoided,  and  let  the 
people  and  their  ministers  understand  and 
remember  the  scriptural  maxim :  "  Bear  ye  one 
another's  burdens,  and  so  fulfil  the  law  of 
Christ." 


RE-APPOINTED  TO  CONCORD  CIRCUIT.      Ill 


CHAPTER  YIIL 

Ri  -appointed  to  Concord  Circuit— Success — Preaching  in  a  Saw  Mill — 
liev.  Benj.  Ryan — Appointed  to  Highland  Circuit,  with  B.  Ryan, 
Assistant — Division  of  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference — Traveling  on 
Concord  Circuit — Local  Itinerancy— Reflections — Elected  to  the  Presi- 
dency of  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference — Letter — Appointed  to  Xenia 
and  Rehoboth  Circuit,  with  Rev.  L  Edwards  as  Assistant — Re-ap- 
pointed to  the  same  Circuit,  with  Rev.  0.  P.  Stephens,  Assistant — 
Appointed  to  Clarksville  Circuit — Appointed  to  the  Superintendency 
of  Sugar  Creek  Circuit — Extract  from  a  Letter — Cholera — A  Fast 
Day  appointed  by  President  Taylor — Fast  Day  Services — Rev. 
Daniel  Riley — A  Sermon  by  Mr.  Riley— His  Character— Death. 

THE  third  session  of  the  Ohio  Annual  Con- 
ference of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  was  held  in  Zanesville,  Muskingum 
coi'.nty,  Ohio,  October  4,  1831.  At  this  confer- 
ence Mr.  Dobbins  was  re-appointed  to  Concord 
Circuit.  The  labors  of  this  circuit  were  ardu- 
ous, and  required  sacrifices  such  as  ministers 
now  know  very  little  of.  This  circuit  was 
about  four  hundred  miles  around,  embracing 
quite  a  number  of  counties. 

He  had  been  favored  with  considerable  suc- 
cess on  this  circuit  the  preceding  year,  having 
received  about  one  hundred  into  church  fellow- 
ship. A  little  earlier  than  the  period  of  which 
we  write,  he  delivered  a  discourse  about  seven 
miles  north-west  of  Washington,  Fayette  county, 


112  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

Oliio,  whicli  is  spoken  of  by  the  old  residents 
of  that  region  as  a  sermon  of  extraordinary 
intelligenee  and  power. 

The  subject  was  given  him  by  some  one,  and 
was  founded  upon  the  twelfth  chapter  of  the 
Eevelations  of  St.  John.  The  sermon  was 
delivered  in  an  old  saw-mill,  and  a  gentleman 
present,  oi  literary  attainments,  and  pretty 
well  versed  in  Greek  and  Roman  history,  said 
''that  he  should  never  forget  that  sermon." 

It  is  spoken  of  as  being  thrillingly  interesting 
throughout,  and  the  wrapt  audience  listened  to 
it  with  almost  breathless  attention  for  two 
hours.  At  the  fourth  session  of  the  Ohio 
Annual  Conference,  which  was  held  in  Pitts- 
burgh, Pennsylvania,  September,  1832,  he  was 
appointed  to  Highland  Circuit,  with  Rev.  Ben- 
jamin Ryan  as  assistant.  These  men  were 
happily  associated  together.  The  pulpit  ability 
of  the  superintendent  none  were  disposed  to 
dispute ;  and  the  strong  practical  ability  of  the 
assistant  was  an  essential  element  in  the  promo- 
tion of  the  work  of  the  Lord.  Mr.  Ryan  was  a 
"son  of  thunder,"  and  labored  with  all  his 
strength  for  his  Master.  He  labored  for  many 
years  as  an  itinerant  minister,  and  then  as  an 
unstationed  minister  within  the  bounds  of  the 
Ohio  Annual  Conference. 


DIVISION"  OF  THE  OHIO  COXFEREXCE.      118 

He  finally  removed  to  tlie  west,  where  he 
itinerated  for  several  years,  and  as  far  as 
advised,  he  is  still  living  in  the  enjoj^ment  of  a 
good  old  age,  waiting  for  the  Master's  call. 
May  the  evening  shades  of  life  descend  gently 
upon  him,  and  his  closing  hours  on  earth  be 
replete  with  happiness  and  hope !  With  such 
men  as  these  upon  Highland  Circuit,  it  is  not 
surprising  that  success  crowned  their  efibrts. 

It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  some  of  the  old 
pioneers  in  the  church,  who  were  eminently 
successful  in  winning  souls  to  Christ,  were  so 
little  inclined  to  communicate  their  success  to 
the  church  and  the  world,  through  the  medium 
of  the  press.  They  cared  very  little  for  the 
praises  of  men,  but  labored  on  like  men  of 
God,  and  it  was  enough  for  them  to  know  that 
their  labor  was  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  The 
fifth  session  of  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference 
was  held  in  Cincinnati,  September,  1833.  The 
growing  interests  of  the  church,  in  connection 
with  the  fact  that  several  States  were  embraced 
within  the  bounds  of  the  Ohio  Conference, 
rendered  it  necessary  that  the  Conference  be 
divided :  so  at  this  session  the  Pittsburgh  Con- 
ference was  set  off.  Mr.  Dobbins  remained  in 
the  Ohio  Conference,  and  was  appointed  again 
8 


114  LIFE  OF  RKV.  ROUKKT    DOBBIN'S. 

to  Concord  Circuit,  retaiaing  his  old  colleague, 
Mr.  Ryan. 

The  sixth  session  of  the  Ohio  Conference 
was  held  in  the  city  of  Louisville,  Kentucky, 
in  October,  1834.  It  will  be  remembered  that 
the  subject  of  these  sketches  was,  at  this  time, 
between  sixty  and  seventy  years  old.  He  did 
not  remove  his  family,  as  is  the  custom  of  itin- 
erants generally,  but  sustained  what  would  be 
called  a  local  itinerant  relation  to  the  Confer- 
ence. He  mounted  his  horse  and  rode  to  his 
circuit,  filling  his  appointments,  and  then  re- 
turned to  bis  little  farm  and  the  bosom  of  his 
family. 

This  local  itinerant  relation  is  thought  by 
many  good  Christians  to  be  an  inefficient  rela- 
tion to  the  church.  It  must  be  admitted  that 
there  are  serious  disadvantages  in  connection 
with  a  local  itinerant  relation  to  a  Conference. 
To  say  the  least,  such  a  position  will  result  in 
comparative  inefficiency.  It  could  not  be 
expected  to  be  otherwise,  for  the  simple  reason 
that  the  people  seldom,  if  ever,  see  the  minis- 
ter's family,  and  consequently  are  not  in  sym- 
pathy with  them. 

•  If  the  minister's  family  is  a  well  regulated 
household,  as  every  minister's  family  should  be, 
the  presence  of  that   family  in   the  circuit  or 


LOCAL  ITINERANCY.  115 

station  of  wliich  the  husband  is  pastor,  is  of 
practical  value  and  importance.  Then,  too, 
there  is  a  mutual  sympathy  between  the  churcli 
and  the  minister's  household,  and  a  greater 
probability  of  a  righteous  compensation  for 
services  rendered. 

Again  :  A  minister  may  have  a  good  rea- 
son for  not  removing  to  his  charge — such  a 
reason  as  God  would  approve;  still,  the  unwil- 
lingness of  the  preacher  to  change  his  domestic 
position  will  have  an  influence,  apd  often  a  very 
unfavorable  influence  against  him.  It  is  an 
easy  matter  to  impugn  the  motives  of  a  minis- 
ter, and  facts  in  connection  with  his  interests 
are  not  always  properly  appreciated. 

I  know  that  it  is  often  the  case,  that  very 
inefficient  provision  is  made  for  the  minister's 
domestic  comfort.  Circuits  in  some  instances 
provide  for  their  preachers'  families,  as  they  do 
for  a  representation  of  their  ecclesiastical  inter- 
ests in  Annual  Conference.  In  the  latter  case, 
in  the  selection  of  a  delegate  to  the  Annual 
Conference,  the  question  often  is,  not  "  Who  will 
be  suitable  to  represent  us?"  but,  "Who  will 
go  ?"  So,  in  the  former  case,  the  question  fre- 
quently is,  not  "  Where  can  we  find  a  suitable 
dwelhng    for    our    minister's    family  ? "     but, 


116  LIFE  OF  KKV.  ROHKRT    DOBBINS. 

"  Where  can  we  get  a  hoase  ?"  and  I  have  seen 
a  number  of  these  houses. 

I  rejoice  in  my  heart  that  these  days  of  reck- 
less indifference  to  the  preacher's  domestic 
welfiire  are  nearly  past.  May  tlic  evil  to  which 
we  refer  cease  altogether,  Amen !  At  tlie 
Conference  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  Mr.  Dob- 
bins was  appointed  assistant  to  Rev.  A.  McGuire, 
on  Washington  Circuit,  and  at  the  seventh 
session,  which  convened  at  Madison,  Indiana, 
he  was  appointed  superintendent  of  Washing- 
ton Circuit,  with  one  to  be  supplied. 

His  services  on  this  circuit  were  not  unfruit- 
ful, as  we  will  presently  see.  At  the  close  of 
this  year's  service,  he  attended  the  eighth 
session  of  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference,  which 
convened  in  Cincinnati,  August,  1836,  and  was 
by  that  body  elected  to  the  Presidency  of  the 
Conference.  Before  entering  upon  the  duties 
of  the  office  to  which  he  was  elected,  he  wrote  a 
letter  to  the  Editor  of  the  Correspondent^  Rev.  C. 
Springer,  giving  an  account  of  the  spiritual 
condition  of  Washington  Circuit,  the  charge 
from  which  he  had  just  retired. 

We  have  already  intimated  that  he  wrote 
very  little  for  the  press  during  his  ministerial 
life,  and  could  only  be  persuaded  to  write 
when  impelled  by  a  sense  of  duty. 


LETTER.  117 

When  lie  wrote  for  the  press,  he  made  no 
effort  at  adornment,  but  wrote  in  plain  Anglo- 
Saxon  his  plain,  earnest  thoughts,  as  the  follow- 
ing letter  will  show.  It  was  written  at  James- 
town, Green  county,  Ohio,  and  is  dated  Septem- 
ber 19,  1836,  and  Is  as  follows : 

"  Brother  C.  Springer  : — For  the  encourage- 
ment of  our  beloved  brethren  in  this  western 
world,  I  will  give  you  a  general  history  of 
matters  and  things  as  they  stood  on  Washing- 
ton Circuit  at  the  close  of  the  past  conference 
year.  Our  fourth  quarterly  meeting  and 
camp-meeting  together,  commenced  on  Friday, 
the  19th  of  August,  and  closed  on  Tuesday 
following,  on  the  farm  of  Brother  Creamer. 

"  We  were  blessed  with  fine,  pleasant  weather; 
a  large  congregation  of  attentive  hearers  at- 
tended throughout  the  meeting,  and,  thank  the 
good  Lord,  bur  brethren  in  the  ministry  from 
a  distance  attended  manfully.  We  had  a  very 
precious  time  from  the  commencement  to  the 
end;  at  the  close  of  the  meeting  there  were 
twenty-six  joined  our  infant  church,  and  forty 
two  adults  and  children  baptized. 

'^I  can  safely  say  that  Washington  Circuit 
in  the  general  is  in  peace  and  harmony,  and 
the  friends  of  Zion  are  looking  up.  There  has 
been  taken  into  society  on  this  circuit  the  past 


118  LIFE  OF   RKV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

year  ninety-six  members.  We  have  generally 
been  all  around  our  circuit,  good  congrega- 
tions and  attentive  hearers,  and  many  applica- 
tions for  new  appointments.  (He  then  gives  a 
plan  of  appointments  for  the  year  upon  which 
he  had  just  entered  as  president  of  the  Confer- 
ence and  closes  with)  Yours  in  the  bonds  of 
Christian  fellowship,  Kobert  Dobbins,  Presi- 
dent Ohio  Annual  Conference." 

At  the  ninth  session  of  the  Ohio  Annual 
Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church, 
which  convened  at  Springfield,  Clark  county, 
Ohio,  August  29,  1837,  Mr.  Dobbins  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  charge  of  Kehoboth  Circuit; 
and  at  the  succeeding  session  of  the  same  Con- 
ference, which  was  held  in  Cincinnati,  he  re- 
ceived an  appointment  to  Washington  Circuit, 
■with  Eev.  W.  Williams  as  assistant. 

The  eleventh  session  of  the  Ohio  Annual 
Conference  was  held  at  the  stone  chapel  on 
Lawrenceburgh  Circuit,  Indiana,  in  August, 
1839.  At  this  Conference  he  was  appointed  to 
Xenia  and  Rehoboth  Circuit,  with  Rev.  I. 
Edwards  as  assistant;  and  at  the  succeeding 
session  in  Cincinnati,  in  1840,  he  was  re-ap- 
pointed to  the  same  charge,  with  Rev.  0.  P. 
Stephens   as   an    associate.       He   then    served 


APPOINTED  TO  WASHINGTON  CIKCUIT.     119 

Springfield  Circuit  two  successive  years  (1841- 
42).  The  fifteenth  session  of  the  Ohio  Annual 
Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church, 
convened  in  Bellbrook,  Green  county,  Ohio, 
September  20,  1843.  At  this  Conference,  Mr. 
Dobbins  received  an  appointment  to  Washing- 
ton Circuit,  with  Rev.  J.  Pelan  as  assistant. 
During  the  Conference  year  of  1844-45,  he  sus- 
tained the  relation  of  supernumerary  assist- 
ant to  Revs.  R.  Rose  and  R.  T.  Boyd,  on 
"Washington  Circuit,  and  then  in  1845-6,  he 
had  charge  of  Clarksville  Circuit.  During  this 
year  he  wrote  an  encouraging  account  of  his 
circuit,  under  date  of  March  11,  1846.  At  the 
close  of  this  letter  the  Editor  of  the  Western 
Recorder  wrote  a  short  editorial,  which  is  as 
follows : — "  Our  aged  Brother  Dobbins  has 
nearly  completed  his  seventy-seventh  year,  but 
has  been  enabled  to  endure  the  toils  of  a  labo- 
rious circuit,  through  the  recent  severe  winter. 
Often  have  we  sympathized  with  him  in  his 
exposures  and  toils ;  may  he  be  strengthened 
to  '  endure  unto  the  end,'  and  find  that  great  is 
his  reward  in  heaven.  Ed.  W.  R." 

At  the  succeeding  Conference,  which  was 
held  in  Springfield,  Clark  county,  Ohio,  Sep- 
tember 9,  1846,  he  was  re-appointed  to  Clarks- 
ville Circuit,  and  in  the  fiill  of  1847,  his  name 


120  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 

stands  as  supernumerary  assistant  on  Washing- 
ton Circuit. 

At  the  twentieth  session  of  the  Ohio  Annual 
Conference,  which  convened  at  Lebanon,  War- 
ren county,  Ohio,  September  6,  1848,  the  name 
of  Washington  Circuit  was  changed  to  Sugar 
Creek  Circuit,  and  lie  was  appointed  to  the 
superintendency  of  this  work.  He  declined 
rci^rular  service  from  the  succeediuGj  Annual 
Conference,  which  was  held  in  Bainbridge, 
Boss  county,  Ohio.  Still  he  was  not  idle,  as 
the  following  letter  will  ^how.  It  was  written 
''at-,  home,"  and  is  dated  August  13,  1850. 
From  this  letter  it  appears  he  had  received  an 
invitation  to  visit  a  distant  point  in  Adams 
county,  Ohio.  He  complied  with  this  invita- 
tion, visited  the  place,  found  no  preacher  there, 
but  quite  a  congregation  had  come  to  hear  the 
Word  of  Life.  Under  these  circumstances,  he 
says:  "Finding  the  people  gloomy,  my  old 
motto,  'go  aliead,'  struck  me,  and  I  felt  like 
putting  on  the  harness,  jmd  to  work  I  went.  I 
endeavored  to  preach  four  times,  and  closed 
with  forming  a  class  of  fourteen  members.  I 
likewise  administered  the  Lord's  Supper  to  a 
sick  family,"  &;c. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  the  subject  of 
these  pages,  at  the  time  of  which  we  write  was 


DAY  OF  FASTING  AND  PRAYER.  121 

eighty  years  old.  His  effectiveness  at  this 
period  is  certainly  very  remarkable.  Eiding 
miles  on  horseback  throug^h  the  storms  of 
winter  and  the  heat  of  summer,  and  preaching 
not  only  with  acceptability,  but  frequently 
with  great  practical  efficiency,  is  certainly  very 
surprising. 

About  this  time  that  terrible  epidemic,  cho- 
lera, prevailed  in  many  places  in  the  United 
States,  and  the  President,,  Zachary  Taylor, 
appointed  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  to  be 
observed  throughout  the  States.  On  tbat  day 
a  meeting  was  appointed  in  Mr.  Dobbins'  neigh- 
borhood, and  quite  a  concourse  of  people  came 
out  to  wait  before  God  in  prayer  and  other 
exercises.  The  services  were  introduced  with 
the  usual  preliminaries,  and  a  sermon  from  Mr. 
Dobbins.  Before  the  close  of  these  exercises, 
an  opportunity  was  given  for  persons  to  unite 
with  the  church.  A  number  came  forward, 
and  several  who  united  with  the  church  on 
that  occasion  are  pillars  in  the  church  at  this 
time  (1868.) 

This  fast  day  observance  was  the  beginning 
of  a  revival  of  religion  at  that  place.  The 
meeting  was  finally  transferred  to  the  house  of 
Mr.  Henry  Burnett,  less  than  a  mile  away. 

On  the  succeeding  Sabbath  a  great  congrega- 


122  LIFE  OP  KEV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

tion  assembled  with  the  expectation  of  hearing 
a  discourse  from  Mr.  Dobbins.  Although  so  far 
advanced  in  years,  and  in  "  his  own  country," 
the  people  regarded  it  as  a  special  favor  to  sit 
under  his  ministrations.  There  was  another 
minister  present,  Kev.  Daniel  Riley,  who  was 
invited  by  Mr.  Dobbins  to  occupy  the  morning 
hour.  As  Mr.  Riley  is  now  no  more  among 
men,  I  deem  it  a  duty  to  the  living  and  the 
dead  to  record  a  few  things  concerning  this 
singular  man.  Mr.  Riley  accepted  the  invita- 
tion to  preach,  and  selected  the  following  text 
as  a  foundation  for  his  sermon  :  "  I  am  he  that 
liveth,  and  w^as  dead;  and,  behold,  I  am  alive 
forevermore.  Amen ;  and  have  the  keys  of  hell 
and  of  death." — Rev.  i.  18. 

The  appearance  of  the  preacher  was  not  very 
prepossessing.  He  was  about  forty  years  old, 
and  rather  tall  and  slender,  with  a  large  head 
and  strongly  marked  facial  expression,  and  a 
characteristic  gravity  of  countenance,*  with  a 
head  of  hair  between  which  and  the  barber's 
toilet  there  was  evidently  very  little  affinity ; 
and  an  imaginative  mind  wo  aid  have  found 
very  little  difficulty  in  seeing  embryo  nests 
among:  its  tanp^led  tufts.  On  the  occasion  to 
which  we  refer,  a  certain  Judge  Jimeson  was 
present,  and  when  the  preacher  rose  to   com- 


REV.  DANIEL  RILEY.  123 

mence  the  service,  the  Judge  was  very  much 
disappointed,  and  was  half  inclined  to  leave  and 
go  honie — said  he  would  have  done  so,  had  it 
not  been  for  the  respect  he  entertained  for 
Messrs.  Dobbins  and  Burnett. 

The  preliminary  services  being  over,  the 
text  was  announced,  and  after  a  brief  exordium, 
the  preacher  arose  with  the  inspiration  of  the 
occasion,  and  with  a  soul  full  of  the  sacred 
theme  he  had  selected,  he  shot  the  arrows  of 
the  Lord  with  such  logical  precision  at  the 
heads  and  hearts  of  the  people,  that,  not  only 
the  Judge,  but  others  in  that  assembly,  were 
charmed  by  the  eloquence  of  the  preacher,  and 
sat  liivc  fixed  statues,  listening  to  the  words  of 
truth  from  this  wonderful  man. 

Mr.  Riley,  however,  was  not  always  the 
preacher  we  have  represented  him  to  be  in  the 
preceding  sketch.  His  ministerial  life  was  a 
singular  anomaly,  a  strange  compound  of  oppo- 
site ingredients ;  frequently  reticent  and  sharp- 
edged,  occasionally  social  and  free,  sometimes  a 
Saul  among  the  Prophets,  at  other  times  com- 
paratively inefficient ;  in  social  converse  always 
instructive  and  interesting,  possessing  a  strong 
logical  mind,  so  that  in  the  pulpit  it  was  fre- 
quentl}^  difficult  to  decide  which  to  admire  the 
most,  his  logical  power  or  the  spiritual  pathos 


124  LIFE  OF   UP:V.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 

that  attended  the  Word.     The  former  was  oftei; 
all  ablaze  with  the  inspiration  of  the  latter. 

I  will  give  an  instance  as  an  illustration  of 
the  preceding  remarks.  A  few  years  ago,  the 
writer  of  these  pages  made  an  official  visit  to 
one  of  the  circuits  in  the  Ohio  District.  On 
Saturday  evening  Mr.  Riley  was  present  and 
invited  to  preach.  He  complied.  His  text  was 
1  John  iii.  1,  2. 

I  will  not-  attempt  to  describe  his  sermon. 
It  was  grand  beyond  description,  and  the  spirit- 
ual power  that  attended  the  discourse  was 
remarkable.  There  are  persons  living  who 
will  never  forget  that  sermon,  in  time  or  in 
eternity. 

On  the  following  Monday  morning  he  was  to 
deliver  a  funeral  discourse,  on  occasion  of  the 
death  of  a  citizen  not  far  from  the  place  of  our 
meeting.  The  morning  came.  The  people 
assembled ;  the  remains  of  the.  deceased  were 
brought  into  the  church ;  but  it  was  with  great 
difficulty  that  Mr.  Riley  could  be  prevailed  on 
to  preach  at  all ;  and  it  was  not  until  one  or 
two  messengers  had  been  sent  to  him,  that  he 
could  be  persuaded  to  come. 
■  He  finally  came,  ascended  the  pulpit,  and 
after  prayer,  he  rose  and  sung  a  hymn  that  I 
presume  no  one  there  had  ever  heard  before, 


DEATH  OF  MR.  RILEY.  125 

and  to  a  tune  I  think  never  before  heard,  and 
in  a  sepulchral,  weird-like  tone  of  voice,  and 
then  announced  the  following  text:  "Thou  hast 
appointed  his  bounds  that  he  cannot  pass.'' — 
Job  xiv.  5. 

It  was  soon  apparent  that  the  harp  was 
unstrung.  Some  of  its  notes  were  beautiful 
indeed;  there  was  an  occasional  passage  that 
was  truly  eloquent,  thinly  scattered  here  and 
there  like  gems  upon  a  barren  heath.  The 
sermon,  in  the  aggregate,  was  regarded  as  a 
failure.  Such  was  this  singular  man.  In  some 
respects  Mr.  Riley  was  certainly  an  extraordi- 
nary man.  When  the  elements  of  his  mental 
nature  were  in  harmony,  he  awakened  an  inter- 
est in  the  soul  of  the  man  of  letters  by  his 
Ciceronian  power,  and  stirred  the  mind  of  the 
multitude  with  his  thrilling  utterances. 

But  the  harp  was  not  always  in  tune.  He 
was  sometimes  as  weak,  perhaps  weaker,  than 
other  men.  He  died,  I  learn,  about  two  years 
ago,  in  Vanwert  coiinty,  Ohio,  in  the  full  assur- 
ance of  a  blessed  immortality,  and  I  have 
never  seen  even  a  newspaper  account  of  his 
death.  I  therefore  thought  it  due  the  memory 
of  that  departed  minister,  in  whom  weakness 
and  strength  were  singularly  combined,  to  write 
what  I  have  written.  Christian  warrior,  rest  in 
peace! 


126  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Mr.  T>obbins  requested  and  obtained  a  Superannuated  Relation  to  the 
Couference— Reflections— Quotations— PeatU  of  Rev.  Sanford  H. 
Euans — Funeral  Services  at  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference,  on  the 
Death  of  Mr.  Euans— Continued  Labors— Quotations  from  Letters — 
Death  of  Mr.  Dobbins'  Daughter  Eliza— Poem  by  Mrs.  A.  H.  B. 

THE  twenty-second  session  of  the  Ohio 
Annual  Conference  was  held  in  Cincin- 
nati in  the  fall  of  1850.  The  Conference  was 
opened  with  appropriate  religious  exercises  by 
Mr.  Dobbins,  then  in  his  eighty-first  year. 

At  this  Conference  he  thought  it  advisable  to 
request  a  superannuated  relation  to  the  Confer- 
ence. Who  can  tell  the  emotions  of  a  devoted 
minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  when  com- 
pelled by  age  and  infirmity  to  retire  from  the 
regular  work  of  the  ministry  ?  Yet,  as  painful 
as  the  sacrifice  may  be,  such  is  the  destiny  of 
the  aged  minister,  sooner  or  later.  The  decree 
has  gone  forth,  "  Thus  far  shalt  thou  go,  and 
no  further."  This  necessity  also  impresses 
upon  the  mind  of  the  man  of  God  an  admoni- 
tory lesson.  He  is  reminded  of  the  truth  that 
he  is  rapidly  approaching  the  boundary  that 
separates  the  seen  from  the  unseen  world.  The 
minister  who  is  prepared   by  grace  to  endure 


SUPERANNUATED  RELATION.  127 

this  privation  meekly,  and  in  the  spirit  of 
Christian  resignation,  is  prepared  to  exert  a 
hallowed  influence  upon  all  around  him. 

The  glowing  beauty  of  old  age,  when  sancti- 
fied by  the  grace  of  God,  and  almost  ripe  for 
the  far  away  land  on  the  other  side  of  the 
river,  is  a  scene  that  may  well  challenge  our 
attention  and  attract  our  hearts.  Such  men 
are  a  blessing  to  any  community.  It  is  an 
interesting  fact  that  in  nearly  all  the  pro- 
fessions, assiduous  application  in  early  life,  in 
connection  with  ultimate  age  and  experience, 
contribute  greatly  to  render  the  subjects  of  toil 
efficient  and  interesting  when  age  is  upon  them. 

The  lawyer,  who,  in  early  life,  applies  his 
mind  with  untiring  assiduity  to  legal  study, 
has  a  reasonable  expectation  that  in  coming 
years  his  services  will  be  sought,  and  bis  men- 
tal toils  compensated ;  and  he  is  not  disap- 
pointed. The  physician,  whose  life  has  been 
industriously  devoted  to  his  profession,  is  amply 
repaid  for  all  his  labor,  not  only  by  the  esteem 
and  respect  of  his  fellow  men,  but  also  by  the 
ample  patronage  he  receives  from  an  appreci- 
ative community.  The  man  of  letters,  whose 
passion  for  knowledge  has  led  him  to  apply  his 
mind  with  untiring  assiduity  to  his  books 
while  others   slept,   is   encouraged   in   coming 


128  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

years  by  the  fact  that  his  services  arc  in 
demand,  and  liberally  compensated.  Such  is 
the  case  with  the  professions  generally.  It  has 
been  thought  by  some  that  the  ministerial  pro- 
fession is,  to  some  extent,  an  exception  to  this 
rule.  We  may,  with  safety,  venture  the 
remark,  that  there  is,  to  too  great  an  extent,  a 
morbid  condition  of  the  public  mind  which  has 
led  the  people  to  prefer  the  zeal  of  youth  to 
the  wisdom  of  age,  and,  as  a  consequence,  the 
experienced  minister  is  in  some  instances  laid 
aside  to  make  room  for  the  young  and  ardent 
declaimer.  It  must  be  admitted,  at  the  same 
time,  that  the  popularity  and  acceptability  of 
ministers  whether  young  or  old,  depends,  to  a 
considerable  extent,  upon  themselves. 

It  is  sometimes  the  case  that  aged  ministers, 
like  other  aged  men,  become  suspicious,  petu- 
lant, and  even  censorious,  and  thereby  render 
themselves  very  disagreeable  to  all  around 
them.  It  is  not  a  matter  of  surprise  if  such 
should  be  unacceptable,  however  wise  or  learned 
they  might  be.  On  the  other  hand,  I  have 
known  aged  ministers  whose  amiability  of 
spirit  shone  out  with  increasing  luster  as  years 
came  upon  them,  whose  minds  were  richly 
stored  with  varied  knowledge,  whose  pulpit 
services  were   highly  appreciated   as  long  as 


BEFLEOTIONS.  129 

tbey  were  able  to  labor.  The  services  of  such 
men  will  always  be  valuable ;  if  not  to  the  super- 
ficial class  of  the  community,  they  will  be  of 
incalculable  service  to  the  thoughtful  and  appre- 
ciative part  of  humanity.  We  pray  that  the 
blessing  of  God  may  rest  upon  our  fathers  in 
the  ministry.  We  love  to  be  with  them,  and 
listen  to  the  words  of  instruction  from  their 
lips.  On  the  other  hand,  I  have  known  young 
ministers  who,  for  the  most  part,  depended  for 
success  upon  native  zeal  and  practical  inven- 
tion, apparently  forgetful  of  the  fact  that  time 
would  deprive  them  of  their  capital,  and  leave 
them,  in  old  age,  like  a  deserted  mansion,  with 
its  departed  wealth  and  its  furniture  gone. 
It  would  not  be  a  matter  of  surprise,  if  such 
persons  should  render  themselves  uninteresting 
in  the  decline  of  life.  To  be  otherwise,  would 
be  marvelous.  We  rejoice  to  know  that  the 
youthful  ministers  in  our  church,  are,  in  the 
general,  both  zealous  and  intelligent,  and  bid 
fair  to  be  of  great  service  to  the  church  of  God. 
May  God  bless  them  all ! 

We  return  to  our  narrative.  Although  we 
now  find  Mr.  Dobbins  on  the  superannuated  list, 
we  are  not  to  infer  from  that  fact  that  he  was 
idle.  Even  during  this  year  he  labored  consid- 
erably within  the  bounds  of  Sugar  Creek  Cir- 
9 


130  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

cuit.  tlie  circuit  on  which  he  lived.  His  zeal 
in  his  Master's  service  was  unabated,  and 
doubtless  too  great  for  his  physical  strength. 
As  an  evidence  of  his  continued  zeal  and  inter- 
est for  the  welfare  of  his  race,  we  notice,  at  the 
close  of  a  letter  written  by  Rev.  S.  H.  Euans, 
Superintendent  of  Sugar  Creek  Circuit,  to  tho 
editor  of  the  church  paper,  these  lines:  ''Just 
say  to  the  President  that  Brother  Dobbins  will 
take  a  field  of  labor  anywhere  in  the  District." 
The  President  of  the  Conference,  in  writing  to 
the  editor  of  the  Western  Recorder,  after  giving 
an  account  of  a  pleasant  visit  with  the  vener- 
able minister,  says :  ''  The  old  gentleman  had 
just  got  home  from  Port  William  Circuit, 
where  he  is  engaged  in  the  good  work,  and 
though  in  his  eighty-third  year,  labor  appears 
to  be  rest." 

The  twenty-third  session  of  the  Ohio  Annual 
Conference  was  held  in  Gilboa,  Putnam  county, 
Ohio,  in  September,  1851.  Joy  and  sorrow,  so 
frequently  found  in  close  proximity,  were  ingre- 
dients in  the  cup  of  the  members  of  this  body. 

The  greeting  was  pleasant  and  soul-inspiring. 
"Where  is  the  minister  who  fails  to  recognize 
in  these  annual  meetings  a  genuine  pleasure  ? 
After  a  year's  separation,  a  Conference  associa- 
tion is  indeed  a   balm  to  the  heart.     Though 


DEATH  OF  REV.  S.  H.  EUANS.  131 

the  Gilboa  Conference  greeting  was  pleasant  to 
many  hearts,  the  friendly  hand  had  scarcely 
unloosed  its  grasp  before  a  sad  note  fell  upon 
the  ear,  thrilling  all  hearts  with  sadness  and 
sorrow,  that  one  of  its  chief  ministers  had  fallen 
during  the  year. 

Though  sad,  it  was  true,  that  Sanford  H. 
Euans  was  dead.  He  had  died  during  the 
latter  part  of  the  Conference  year.  Were  it 
not  that  an  extended  notice  of  this  singularly 
gifted  minister  may  ultimately  appear,  we 
would  write  more  concerning  him  here.  Suf- 
fice it  to  say  now,  that  sundry  resolutions  were 
passed  by  the  Conference  in  reference  to  the 
death  of  Brother  Euans. 

The  third  resolution  in  the  series  is  as  fol- 
lows: 

"  Resolved^  That  Brother  Robert  Dobbins,  the 
oldest  member  of  the  Conference,  be  requested, 
at  some  time  during  the  present  session,  to 
deliver  a  discourse  or  address  in  reference  to 
the  death  of  Brother  Euans,  and  in  reference 
to  the  responsibilities  of  Christ's  ministers,  in 
view  of  a  readiness  to  render  up  their  account 
with  joy." 

The  sermon  of  Mr.  Dobbins  on  the  death  of 
the  departed  minister  was  delivered  on  Sabbath 
afternoon   during   the  Conference   session.     It 


132  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

contained  valuable  items  in  connection  with 
the  deceased,  and  was  listened  to  with  profound 
attention.  The  presence  of  so  venerable  a  man 
in  the  pulpit,  and  his  words  of  wisdom,  could 
not  be  otherwise  than  appreciated  by  the  con- 
siderate hearer.  He  still  sustained  a  superan- 
nuated relation  to  the  Conference.  Though  the 
weight  of  years  was  upon  him,  his  presence 
was  sought,  and  his  counsels  regarded  by  his 
juniors  in  the  ministry,  and  many  encomiums 
written  by  Presidents  of  the  Conference  in  their 
visits  to  his  peaceful  home. 

The  following  is  from  the  pen  of  Rev.  J.  M. 
Flood,  President  of  the  Conference  this  year: 
''From  White  Oak  we  accompanied  Father 
Dobbins  to  his  pleasant,  peaceful  home,  yet  not 
to  be  compared  to  that  celestial  home ;  '  that 
house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavens,'  soon  to  be  possessed  by  this  faithful 
veteran  of  the  cross.  He  yet  enjoys  physical 
and  mental  vigor  rarely  possessed  by  a  man 
of  his  age,  being  eighty-four  years  old.  May 
the  last  rays  of  the  sun  of  life  cheer  this  faith- 
ful old  servant  of  God,  and  may  it  be  our  hap- 
piness to  meet  him  there !"  And  then,  a  year 
or  two  later,  we  still  have  the  evidence  of  una- 
bated zeal  in  the  Master's  service,  but  of 
gradually  declining  physical  powers. 


QUOTATIONS  FROM  LETTERS.  133 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1853.  we  have  this 
line  from  E.  J.  Winans,  Superintendent  of 
Sugar  Creek  Circuit.  Speaking  of  a  meeting 
in  his  charge,  he  says:  "Father  Dobbins  was 
on  the  walls,  and  though  not  able  to  sound  the 
trumpet  with  all  the  force  of  his  former  days, 
yet  he  caused  the  heart  of  the  hardened  man 
of  sin  to  quail  before  the  shafts  of  truth."  The 
same  writer,  in  a  subsequent  letter,  dated  June 
10,  1854,  thus  speaks  of  the  subject  of  these 
pages:  ''Father  Dobbins  is  still  with  us,  and 
engaged  in  the  Master's  work.  The  hand  of 
time  has  not  abated  his  interest  in  the  prosper- 
ity of  Zion,  and  he  bears  the  weight  of  four- 
score and  six  years  with  but  little  detriment 
to  the  physical  and  mental  man;  while  the 
spiritual  man  seems  to  wax  stronger,  as  his 
pilgrimage  lengthens  here  below.  Every  time 
his  experience  is  given  in  our  morning  meet- 
ings, it  seems  as  if  there  was  a  special  provi- 
dence in  the  preservation  of  this  veteran  of  the 
cross  beyond  the  days  of  those  who  first  stood 
with  him  upon  the  battlements  of  Zion.  His 
retrospects  of  the  past  are  strong  rebukes 
against  the  repinings  and  murmurings  of  us 
who  are  called  upon  to  preac-h  Christ  with  so 
few  discouragements  attendant  upon  our  minis- 


134  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

try.  There  are  no  regrets  for  the  time  spent 
in  the  service  of  the  Lord,  no  magnifying  of 
the  toils  and  privations  of  the  pioneer  life,  but 
all  in  gratitude  that  he  has  been  accounted 
worthy  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  Heaven  and 
immortality  in  prospect  are  to  him  ample  com- 
pensation for  sixty  years'  conflict  with  the 
King's  enemies."  These  quotations  are  valu- 
able, as  they  reveal  the  spirit  and  character  of 
the  venerable  subject  of  these  pages  at  an 
advanced  period  in  life. 

The  following  quotation  is  from  Kev.  0.  P. 
Stephens,  who  was  President  of  the  Ohio  Con- 
ference, during  the  years  1856-7.  The  letter 
is  dated  February  26,  1857.  We  read :  "  On 
Thursday,  February  26,  I  called  at  the  resi- 
dence of  the  venerable  Robert  Dobbins,  who, 
for  considerably  over  half  a  century,  has  been  a 
faithful  and  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament. 
Though  little  short  of  ninety  years  of  age.  he 
has  assisted  in  the  pulpit  exercises  at  several 
meetings  during  the  past  winter.  But  his 
manly  form  begins  to  tremble  under  the 
weight  of  years,  and  in  his  own  opinion,  it  is 
extremely  doubtful  whether  he  ever  meets  with 
his  brethren  again  in  Conference.  The  first 
year  of  my  itinerating,  Father  Dobbins  was  my 


DEATH  OF  HIS  DAUGHTER  ELIZA.  135 

colleague,  and  long  shall  I  remember  his  coun- 
sels, which  were  given  with  a  mild  and  affable 
spirit.  May  his  example  be  emulated  by  those 
who  shall  come  after."  He  was  present  at  two 
sessions  of  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference  after 
this  period.  His  pathetic  address  at  the  Con- 
ference in  Mechanicsburg,  Ohio,  in  September, 
1858,  the  last  he  ever  attended,  will  not  soon 
be  forgotten. 

In  his  declining  years  he  was  called  to 
endure  a  severe  domestic  affliction,  which 
weighed  heavily  upon  his  spirit.  His  young- 
est daughter,  Mrs.  Eliza  J.  Jemi^n,  died  in 
her  western  home  soon  after  her  marriage. 
This  daughter  remained  with  her  parents,  in 
single  life,  for  a  number  of  years  after  reaching 
the  period  of  womanhood.  She  was  tenderly 
devoted  to  her  father,  and  was  ever  ready,  with 
an  affectionat^heart  and  willing  hand,  to  confer 
some  little  attention  upon  her  aged  parent ; 
and  being  a  lady,  naturally,  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary understanding,  her  words  and  suggestions 
were  like  sunshine  upon  the  pathway  of  the 
aged  pilgrim.  This  lady  finally  married  and 
removed  to  the  west,  accompanied  by  her  aged 
father  to  her  distant  home.  Mr.  Dobbins 
remained  with  his  daughter  a  few  weeks,  and 


136        lifl:  of  rlv.  Robert  dobbins. 

then  returned  to  his  Ohio  home.  Scarcely  a 
year  had  glided  away  before  the  sad  intelli- 
gence came  from  the  west  that  Eliza  was  dead. 

This  news  fell  like  a  leaden  weight  upon  the 
father's  heart.  The  shock  was  almost  beyond 
endurance.  Friends  sympathized  with  him  in 
this  sad  hour  of  trial.  A  neat  and  appropriate 
poem,  written  on  the  death  of  his  daughter,  by 
a  Christian  lady,  may  be  inserted  here : 

LINES 


IirSCRIBED  TO  HEV.  ROBERT  DOBBINS,  OCCASIONED   BT  THE  BECBHT 
DEATH  OF  HIS  AFFECTIONATE  DAUGHTER,  ELIZA. 

BY  MRS.  A.  H.  BASSETT. 

Father,  thou  hast  traveled  long, 

la  life's  varied,  toilsome  way, 
'Till  thy  garments  are  time-worn, 

And  thy  locks  grown  thin  and  gray. 
Many  a  conflict  hast  thou  had, 

Oft  with  foes  in  fierce  array; 
Laurels  all  unsought  hast  won. 

In  thy  long  and  well-spent  day. 

Most  of  those  whose  names,  with  thine, 

Were  at  morn  upon  the  roll. 
Aye,  and  numbers  entered  .^iuce, 

Have  before  thee  reached  the  goal : 
But  a  few  there  yet  remain — 

Long  the  partners  of  thy  toil. 
Who  with  thee  have  fought  and  led, 

Vanquished  foes,  and  taken  spoil. 

Brave  defenders  of  the  right, 

Foes  of  tyranny  and  sin. 
Leaders  in  our  pilgrim  ranks, 

All  true  Greathearts  they  have  been ; 


POEM  BY  A  LADY.  137 

Still  the  spirit,  brave  and  strong, 

"Would  do  battle  as  of  yore; 
But  the  evening  shadows  fall — 

Drawing  near  to  Jordan's  shore 

We  are  wont  to  press  their  stay 

Long  upon  the  hither  side, 
Though  a  rich  inheritance 

Lies  but  just  beyond  the  tide; 
Though  from  out  their  palace  towers, 

Just  within  the  golden  gate, 
White  arms  beckon  them  across — 

Loved  ones  in  their  mansions  wait. 

Father,  precious  treasure  there, 

Safely  garnered,  waits  for  thee. 
Mother,  all  thy  sundered  ties 

There  shall  re-unit^d  be 
Is  an  idol  daughter's  face 

Missing  from  the  household  band  ? 
Lost  her  cheerful,  loving  heart. 

Ready  step  and  willing  hand  ? 

She  has  only  gone  before 

To  the  dwelling,  new  and  fair, 
And  that  dear,  familiar  face 

Soon  shall  smile  upon  you  there. 
O,  we  would  indulge  the  thought 

That  loved  ones  from  that  bright  sphere, 
On  some  heavenly  errand  come. 

Often  mingle  with  us  here : 

And  that  oft,  though  all  unseen. 

When  ye  walk  along  the  way. 
Or  around  the  cottage  door 

Gather  at  the  close  of  day 
Or  in  silent  watch  of  night. 

Or  at  solemn  hour  of  prayer. 
With  a  gentle  angel  guard. 

The  dear  absent  cometh  there,— 


138  LIFE  OF  REV.  EGBERT   DOBBINS. 

Sw<'otly  to  tlu'  Htrickpa  group, 

Whif^IMTing  thoughts  of  lioly  obeer— 
Breatliings  of  tho  better  homn, 

Where  there  falleth  no  sad  tear. 
Father,  mother,  weep  no  more  ; — 

List !  the  soft,  sweet  accents  low 
Ye  sliall  soon  be  with  me  there, 

Just  beyond  the  river's  flow  ; 

Soon  shall  lay  your  armor  by, 

rilgrim  staflF,  and  sandals  worn, 
Lave  your  feet  in  Jordan's  wave, 

And  across  the  tide  be  borne. 
Husband,  brothers,  sister  dear. 

May  ye  join  us  on  that  shore, 
Where  the  re-united  band 

Shall  be  parted  nevermore. 


MEETING  IN  OLD  UNION  CHAPEL.  139 


CHAPTER  X. 

Meeting  in  the  Old  Union  Chapel  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio— Labors 
while  sustaining  a  Superannuated  Relation  to  the  Conference- 
Farewell  Exhortation — Sickness — Note  to  the  Editor  of  the  Church 
Paper — Interviews  with  Mr.  Henry  Burnett,  Esq. — State  of  his  Mind 
— Illustrations — Mr.  Dobbins'  Views  of  the  Duties  of  American  Citi- 
zens— Particularly  interested  in  certain  passages  of  Scripture — His 
Death — Burial  — Tomb  —  Conference  Resolutions  —  Reminiscence — 
Funeral  at  the  Old  Union  Chapel — Services  at  Conference  by  Rev. 
William  B.  Evans. 

TOWARDS  the  close  of  Mr.  Dobbins'  itin- 
erant  life,  and  only  a  short  time  before 
he  requested  a  superannuated  relation  to  the 
Conference,  he  attended  a  regular  appointment 
at  the  Old  Union  Chapel — a  venerable,  hewed- 
log  meeting-house  not  far  from  his  residence. 
This  dilapidated  building  still  stands  as  a  relic 
of  other  days ;  and  as  the  senior  preachers  of 
the  Conference  and  elder  brethren  of  the  church 
pass  this  old  temple,  they  are  reminded  of  many 
scenes  of  thrilling  interest  that  transpired 
within  its  walls.  They  are  reminded  of  vast 
assemblages  of  people  gathered  here ;  of  soul- 
stirring  sermons  delivered  from  the  pulpit  by 
ministers,  some  of  whom  have  long  since  gone 
to  their  reward ;  of  weeping  penitents  bowing 
at  the  altar  and  the  shouts  of  new-born  souls 


140  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

ascending  to  heaven,  while  angels  rejoiced  at 
the  achievements  of  the  cross.  But  while  the 
temple  is  in  ruins,  in  the  distance  may  be  seen 
a  beautiful  church  where  the  sons  and  daugh- 
ters of  the  veterans  of  other  days  worship  the 
God  of  their  fathers.  Mr.  Dobbins,  as  we  have 
said,  held  a  meeting  here  near  the  close  of  his 
itinerant  career.  At  the  close  of  his  sermon 
he  gave  an  opportunity  for  persons  to  unite 
with  the  church,  and  four  persons  came  forward 
and  gave  their  hands  to  the  minister.  He  then 
announced  his  appointment  for  three  weeks 
from  that  time.  The  time  arrived.  The  minister 
was  on  hand,  and  delivered  his  message  at 
eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  in  the  after- 
noon h-e  delivered  a  sacramental  discourse. 

This  sacramental  service  was  destined  to  be 
a  memorable  occasion  to  the  inhabitants  of  that 
region — a  cloud  of  glory  rested  upon  the  peo- 
ple, and  after  the  disciples  of  Jesus  had  received 
the  emblems  of  Christ's  broken  body  and  shed 
blood,  an  opportunity  was  given  for  persons  to 
unite  with  the  church,  when  sixteen  persons  rose 
almost  simultaneously,  and  went  forward  to  the 
altar.  These  persons  were  chiefly  heads  of 
families.  This  was  the  beginning  of  a  great 
work  of  grace  in  that   neighborhood — not  so 


INTERESTING  SERVICE.  141 

miicb  on  account  of  tlie  number,  but  in  conse- 
quence of  the  permanent  character  of  the  work. 

As  the  fruit  of  this  revival,  about  twenty- 
seven  persons  united  with  the  church ;  and  at 
this  distant  day,  after  the  lapse  of  nearly 
twenty  years,  this  revival  is  spoken  of  as  one 
of  the  most  permanent  works  of  grace  ever 
enjoyed  in  that  country.  Quite  a  number  of 
persons  who  united  with  the  church  then,  are 
its  strong  pillars  to-day.  The  veteran  preacher 
was  very  happy  during  all  this  meeting,  and 
when  the  sixteen  came  forward,  the  silver- 
haired  old  prophet  could  retain  his  emotions 
no  longer — the  vessel  was  full — overflowing; 
and  with  a  countenance  radiant  with  living 
luster,  and  his  lips  touched  with  a  live  coal 
from  the  altar  of  God,  and  the  strong  lines  of 
his  face  revealing  the  sacred  baptism  of  the 
soul,  the  old  priest  threw  himself  back  upon 
his  seat  and  shouted,    ''  Glory  /" 

What  a  beautiful  close  of  an  itinerant  life ! 
We  often  hear  the  Christian  pray  that  his 
"last  days  may  be  his  best  days,"  and  the 
Christian  minister  who  has  been  faithful  to  his 
trust,  may  feel,  when  the  noon-day  of  life  is 
past,  and  the  shadows  of  the  coming  eve  are 
gathering  around  him,  that  the  glory  of  his 
latter  days  is  richer  and  sweeter  than  the  early 


112  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 

budding  and  blossoming  of  the  Christian  graces 
in  the  spring-time  of  spiritual  joy.  During  the 
years  that  Mr.  Dobbins  sustained  a  superannu- 
ated relation  to  the  Conference,  he  performed  a 
considerable  amount  of  ministerial  service,  and 
was  generally  present  at  the  Quarterly  Confer- 
ences of  the  circuit  on  which  he  lived,  partici- 
pating in  the  business  of  these  meetings,  and 
taking  a  deep  interest  in  the  spiritual  welfare 
of  the  circuit ;  and  though  so  far  advanced  in 
years,  he  was  frequently  persuaded  to  fill  the 
pulpit  at  the  popular  hour  on  the  Sabbath  day. 
And  on  such  occasions  his  sermons  were  re- 
garded as  highly  instructive  and  edifying.  If, 
at  this  period,  his  discourses  lacked,  to  some 
extent,  the  diffusive  element,  this  deficiency 
was  more  than  compensated  by  an  intelligent 
statement  of  his  theme,  in  connection  with 
lucidity  of  argument  and  compactness  of 
thought — elements  highly  important  in  a  Chris- 
tian minister.  His  sermons  at  this  period  were 
in  truth  multum  in  'parvo^  for  they  were  not 
only  free  from  all  redundancy,  but  consisted  of 
thoughts  grouped  together  in  logical  harmony, 
comprising  many  members,  and  yet  presenting 
'  a  beautiful  unity,  which  gave  point  and  power 
to  his  pulpit  messages. 

And  although  he  "  drew  the  bow  at  a  ven- 


ACTIVE  OLD  AGE.  l-iS 

ture,"  his  eye  was  steadily  fixed  upon  the 
mark ;  having  no  time  for  the  accumulation 
of  superfluous  or  irrelevant  thoughts,  as  these, 
in  his  estimation,  would  only  embarrass  his 
theme,  and  render  that  feeble  and  inefficient 
that  God  intended  to  be  strong.  Such,  at  least, 
is  the  judgment  of  the  writer,  who  knew  him 
quite  well  at   the  period  of  which  we  write. 

We  have  now  reached  the  sun-set  of  life  in  the 
history  of  the  subject  of  these  sketches,  and  we 
feel  that  twilight  shadows  are  gathering  around. 
While  trembling  with  age,  and  his  manly  form 
bowed  with  the  weight  of  many  years,  his  soul 
is  still  alive  with  interest  for  the  salvation  of 
his  fellow-men.  He  has  never  forgotten  that 
he  is  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  with  emo- 
tions such  as  none  but  the  aged  minister  may 
feel,  he  is  prompted  to  go  once  more  to  the 
family  church. 

This  occurred  six  or  eight  months  before  his 
death,  and  is  supposed  to  be  the  last  public 
service  he  ever  attended.  So,  in  accordance 
with  his  cherished  wish,  he  found  his  way  to 
the  Old  Union  Chapel,  and  delivered  a  farewell 
exhortation  to  the  people.  It  was  like  a  father 
in  conversation  with  his  children.  There  he 
stood,  in  all  the  noble  dignity  of  moral  great- 
ness  and   matured    Christian   character.      His 


144  LIFE  OF   REV.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 

form  is  bowed,  it  is  true,  and  his  hair  is  sil- 
vered o'er  with  age,  but  his  eye  is  as  bright  as 
ever,  and  now  the  tremulous  tones  of  his  voice 
vibrate  upon  the  ears  of  attentive  listeners,  like 
the  gentle  touches  of  the  night  wind  upon  the 
silken  strings  of  an  aeolian  harp,  and  all  present 
are  moved  with  emotion,  and  great  thoughts  are 
awakened  within,  such  as  were  never  felt  be- 
fore. The  venerable  preacher  said,  that  "it 
was  probable  he  never  would  address  them 
again,"  and  then,  with  words  of  burning  fervor, 
he  taught  them  the  way  of  salvation  once  more, 
and  then  paused — what  a  pause  was  that — he 
stood  for  a  few  moments  with  a  countenance  all 
aglow  with  the  inspiration  of  heaven,  weeping 
tears  of  affection  and  joy  ;  he  then  resumed  his 
exhortation,  weeping  over  the  people,  calhng 
them  his  children,  and  at  the  close  he  reached 
out  his  trembling  hand,  and  invited  sinners  to 
come  to  Jesus.  Seven  came  forward  and  gave 
their  hands  to  the  venerable  preacher. 

Thus  closed  a  service  long,  long  to  be  re- 
membered. This  meeting  ended  his  public 
labors  on  earth.  He  was  confined  to  his  bed 
about  three  weeks,  and  these  were  weeks  of 
great  anxiety  and  solicitude  with  his  neighbors 
and  the  church.  There  were  frequent  inquiries 
as  to  his  condition,  and  a  few  days  before    his 


THE  SUNSET  OF  LIFE.  145 

death,  a  note  was  sent  to  the  editor  of  the  church 
paper,  by  brother  M.  Henkle,  in  substance  as 
follows:  ''Our  aged  brother,  Rev.  R.  Dobbins, 
is,  to  all  appearance,  near  his  end.  I  think  he 
cannot  last  long,  but  he  is  calm  and  resigned, 
and  has  a  prospect  of  a  bright  and  glorious 
future."  At  a  certain  time  during  his  illness, 
an  old  neighbor  and  brother  in  the  church, 
Henry  Burnett,  called  upon  him  and  found  him 
in  a  very  melancholy  and  dejected  condition  of 
mind.  All  was  dark,  dark;  no  ray  of  light 
was  permitted  then  to  enter  that  great  soul. 
Mr.  Burnett  conversed  with  him,  and  directed 
his  mind  to  the  promises  of  the  Gospel,  and  re- 
ferred him  to  his  past  experience  as  a  Christian 
minister. 

The  mental  condition  of  the  dying  minister  at 
this  time  was  an  enigma  in  Christian  expe- 
rience that  Mr.  Burnett  did  not  then  under- 
stand. After  this  conference  between  these 
aged  men,  in  which  the  layman  had  become  the 
preacher,  Mr.  Burnett  returned  to  his  home, 
and  came  back  the  next  morning.  As  soon  as 
he  entered  the  room  of  the  dying  prophet,  his 
ears  were  saluted  with  the  words,  "Brother 
Burnett,  all  is  light !  light !  and  there  is  no 
darkness  at  all.  My  way  is  clear,  bless  the 
Lord!"  ^ 
10 


146  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

Such,  perhaps,  is  the  experience  of  most 
Christians.  The  tempter  is  ever  on  the  alert, 
and  pursues  God's  chosen  ones  even  to  the  gate 
of  death.  There  are  peculiarities  in  Christian 
experience  that  none,  perhaps,  but  those  who 
are  deeply  versed  in  the  things  of  God,  may 
fully  understand.  Mr.  Dobbins  was  not  only  a 
Christian  minister,  but  a  lover  of  his  country, 
and  deeply  interested  in  her  welfare.  He  main- 
tained the  position  that  it  was  the  duty  of  min- 
isters, as  well  as  others,  to  avail  themselves  of 
every  facility  at  command  to  become  acquaint- 
ed with  the  political  history  of  their  country. 
He  thought  that  the  liberties  of  the  people  of 
the  United  States  were  too  dearly  bought  to 
permit  them  to  remain  inactive,  and  thereby 
incur  the  danger  of  losing  those  political  privi- 
leges which  were  secured  at  the  expense  of 
human  blood.  Therefore,  he  thought  it  the 
duty  of  every  American  citizen  to  cast  his  vote 
on  days  of  election. 

He  regarded  a  practical  interest  in  his  coun- 
try's welfare  as  being  next  to  the  duties  of  re- 
ligion. When  upon  his  dying  bed,  the  Con- 
.gress  of  the  United  States  had  assembled  at 
Washington,  and  there  appears  to  have  been 
some  difficulty  in  effecting  an  organization  of 


DEATH -BED   CONVERSATIONS.  147 

that  body,  Mr.  Burnett  coming  into  the  sick 
man's  chamber,  Mr.  Dobbins  addressed  him  as 
follows : 

"  Mr.  Burnett,  I  desire  to  ask  you  a  question, 
and  you  may  think  it  a  simple  question  for  a 
dying  man  to  ask.  It  is  this :  Has  Congress 
organized  yet  ?" 

This  expression  of  interest  in  connection  with 
civil  affairs,  was  in  perfect  harmony  with  his 
well-known  love  of  country.  On  another  occa- 
sion, in  conversation  with  Mr.  Burnett,  he  con- 
versed in  a  very  animated  manner  upon  subjects 
of  undying  interest,  and  among  other  matters, 
he  referred  to  a  part  of  the  eighth  chapter  of 
Komans,  especially  the  latter  part  of  the  chap- 
ter, commenting  particularly  upon  the  follow- 
ing passage — "  The  Spirit  itself  beareth  witness 
with  our  spirit,  that  we  are  the  children  of 
God :  And  if  children,  then  heirs ;  heirs  of  God, 
and  joint-heirs  with  Christ ;  if  so  be  that  we 
suffer  with  him,  that  we  may  be  also  glorified  to- 
gether. For  I  reckon  that  the  sufi'erings  of 
this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  com- 
pared with  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in 
us."  Eom.  viii.  16,  17,  18.  What  a  theme  for 
a  dying  minister!  Who  could  have  sat  in  that 
death  chamber  and  have  heard  the  expositions 


148  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROliERT   DOBBINS. 

of  the  dying  preacher  without  feeling  the  force 
of  the  poetic  sentiment  by  Coleridge : 

"  Is  that  a  (leatli-l)(!d  whore  the  Cliristian  lies  ? 
Yes,  but  uot  his  ;    'tis  death  itself  there  dies." 

Permit  me,  Christian  reader,  to  say  that  I  have 
never  felt  the  force  and  fullness  of  the  scriptural 
passages  quoted  above,  as  I  have  since  I  com- 
menced writing  these  lines.  "  The  Spirit  itself 
beareth  witness,"  &c.  Oh !  what  an  evidence 
of  discipleship.  "  And  if  children,  then  heirs ; 
heirs  of  God,  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ."  Oh ! 
what  a  relationship  is  here  indicated ;  and  the 
incomparable  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in 
the  Christian,  eternity  alone  will  be  able  to 
unfold.  No  wonder  that  the  venerable  man 
selected  these  verses  as  a  theme  of  thought  and 
conversation,  as  he  was  about  to  close  his  eyes 
upon  earthly  things.  It  brought  him  into  still 
closer  relationship  with  Jesus.  During  all  his 
sickness  he  murmured  not,  but  in  the  true'  spirit 
of  Christian  philosophy,  trusted  in  the  Kedeemer, 
and  patiently  waited  until  his  change  came, 
and  finally,  on  the  morning  of  January  18, 
1860,  it  was  evident  that  he  was  approaching 
the  river  of  death. 

His  family  and  a  few  friends  gathered  around 
the  dying  one,  and  the  last  distinct  utterance 


DEATH  OF  REV.  ROBERT  DOBBINS.     149 

that  fell  from  his  lips  was,  "Yes,  Eliza!  I'll 
soon  be  there."  He  said  more  than  this,  but 
what  it  was,  none  on  earth  may  know — it  is 
treasured  up  in  the  mind  of  God.  ^  It  will  be 
remembered  that  he  lost  a  beloved  daughter  a 
few  years  before,  which  made  a  strong  impression 
upon  his  mind;  and  it  is  a  matter  worthy  of 
note  that  when  his  daughter  lay  upon  her 
dying  bed,  hundreds  of  miles  away  from  the 
home  of  her  youth,  that  nearly  her  last  words 
were,  "Poor  pa!  no!  he  is  not  poor,  he  is 
rich."  May  it  not  be  that  the  aged  pilgrim,  as 
he  was  approaching  the  other  shore,  saw  this 
loved  daughter,  and  gave  an  evidence  in  his 
closing  moments  that  he  would  soon  rejoin  her 
beyond  the  river  where  loved  ones  meet  again  ? 
"W  ho  can  tell  ?  The  body  of  Mr.  Dobbins  was 
arrayed  in  a  plain  black  suit  of  citizen's  clothes, 
with  a  white  cravat  around  the  neck,  and  laid 
in  a  metallic  case.  The  day  of  burial  was  very 
unfavorable ;  still  a  large  concourse  of  persons 
followed  the  remains  to  the  grave. 

He  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  contiguous  to 
Washington,  the  county  seat  of  Fayette  county, 
Ohio.  His  grave  is  an  unpretending  spot.  It 
is  adorned  with  a  plain  obelisk  about  nine  feet 
high,  bearing  the  following  inscription : 


150  LIFE  OF  RFV.  R0BP:RT    DOBBINS. 

"ROBERT  DOBBINS. 

DIED 

Jan.  13,  1860, 

AGED 

92  Years,  8  Months,  23  Days." 

At  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference  succeeding 
his  death,  which  was  held  in  Springfield,  Ohio, 
September  19,  1860,  the  committee  on  Obitua- 
ries made  the  following  report,  which  was 
adopted  unanimously  by  rising  vote : 

"  Whereas,  It  has  pleased  Almighty  God  to 
remove  from  our  midst,  within  the  past  year, 
our  venerable  brother,  Rev.  Robert  Dobbins, 
for  many  years  regarded  as  the  patriarch  of  this 
Conference ;  therefore, 

^'Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  rare  piety, 
disinterestedness  and  devotion  of  our  deceased 
friend,  to  the  interests  of  the  church,  we  have 
reorarded  him  durinor  hig  life  as  a  blessinoj  to 
the  world,  and  gratefully  acknowledge  the  good- 
ness of  God  in  continuing  him  to  us  so  long. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  regard  with  sincere  sorrow 
the  removal  of  Brother  Dobbins  from  amongst 
us,  but  rejoice  in  the  full  assurance  that  he  has 
gone  to  his  eternal  reward  in  a  better  state,  and 
pray  that  we  who  survive  may  be  enabled  to 
follow  his  godly  steps. 


CONFERENCE  RESOLUTIONS.  151 

*'  Resolved,  That  a  funeral  discourse  be  deliv- 
ered during  the  present  session  by  Kev.  W.  B. 
Evans,  on  the  death  of  Brother  Dobbins." 

In  accordance  with  the  third  resolution  in 
the  series,  Sabbath  evening  was  selected  as  tlie 
time  for  the  funeral  services.  So  at  an  early 
hour  the  house  was  crowded  with  attentive 
hearers  to  listen  to  a  discourse  from  the  venera- 
ble Eev.  W.  B.  Evans,  so  well  and  favorably 
known  throughout  the  denomination.  At  the 
close  of  the  sermon,  an  interesting  paper,  per- 
taining to  the  life  and  character  of  the  deceased, 
was  read  by  Kev.  A.  H.  Bassett. 

Thus  closed  the  Conference  services  in  rela- 
tion to  the  death  of  its  oldest  member.  Soon 
after  the  death  of  this  venerable  man,  the  writer 
of  these  jtages  wrote  a  ''  Reminiscence,"  which 
was  published  in  the  church  paper,  which  may 
be  reproduced  here. 

REMINISCENCE— REV.  ROBERT  DOBBINS. 

Let  us  pause  and  weep,  for  we  have  lost  a 
friend ;  we  have  been  bereaved,  and  our  hearts 
are  sad.  God  hath  spoken,  and  he  is  ''right- 
eous in  all  his  ways."  Still  we  feel  oppressed 
and  lonely  in  spirit.  We  feel,  deeply  feel  our 
loss.  Be  still,  rebellious  heart !  let  no  murmur- 
ings  escape  thee.     "  Be  still  and  know  that  I 


152  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 

am  God."  The  death  of  a  good  and  great  man 
may  well  arrest  the  tide  of  thought  in  its  on- 
ward march  in  the  great  battle  of  life,  and  yield 
to  reflection  and  tears.  Those  events  which  once 
appeared  trivial  and  unimportant,  now  assume 
a  commanding  interest. 

Friday,  August  26th,  1859,  six  months  ago, 
found  me  on  the  way  to  White  Oak,  the  place 
of  my  official  visit  for  Sugar  Creek  Circuit.  I 
concluded  to  spend  the  night  with  the  aged 
brother  whose  name  stands  at  the  head  of  this 
article.  Arriving  in  the  twilight  of  the  even- 
ing, I  entered  the  sitting-room,  and  beheld  near 
the  door  the  manly  form  of  the  aged  divine. 
There  he  sat,  in  his  patriarchal  dignity  and 
venerable  beauty,  dressed  in  white,  with  a  white 
cap  upon  his  head,  his  dark  slippers  forming  a 
fine  contrast  to  the  snow-white  costume  in 
which  he  was  arrayed.  He  did  not  at  first  re- 
cognize me,  it  being  nearly  dark ;  but  a  slight 
inclination  of  the  head  brought  forth  the  words, 
warm  from  the  heart,  *'  Brother  Caddy,  I  am 
glad  to  see  you."  He  walked  into  the  dining- 
room  to  his  meals,  and  appeared  in  his  usual 
health.  I  had  proposed  during  the  evening 
to  take  him  with  me  to  my  appointment, 
if  he  desired  to  go.  So  in  the  morning, 
while  I  was  out  preparing  to  leave  for  my  meet- 


REMINISCENCES.  153 

ing,  some  eight  miles  distant,  he  came  out  to 
me  and  said,  in  substance,  "  I  am  in  a  dilemma; 
I  would  like  to  go  to  White  Oak  and  see  my 
friends  once  more,  but  fear  it  would  not  be  ad- 
visable ;  I  am  so  helpless." 

I  replied:  ''Father  Dobbins,  I  will,  with 
pleasure,  take  you  with  me,  and  bring  you  back 
again."  After  a  moment's  hesitation,  he  said, 
"  Well,  I'll  go."  He  was  soon  in  readiness  and 
we  started,  and  who  could  be  weary  in  riding 
with  such  a  man  ?  At  the  close  of  the  sermon 
at  one  o'clock,  he  made  remarks  from  the 
pulpit,  expressing  his  hope  in  Christ,  with 
tears  streaming  down  his  face,  and  with  a  heart 
burdened  and  interested  for  sinners.  On  Mon- 
day morning,  with  a  tremulous  voice,  he  spoke 
again.  Among  other  things,  he  said  :  "  What 
would  be  my  condition  now,  if  I  was  an  old 
gray-haired  sinner,  without  a  hope  in  Christ  ? 
But,  blessed  be  the  Lord!  I  feel  that  I  am  on 
my  way  to  heaven,  and  will  soon  be  there." 
On  Monday  night  he  had  a  severe  attack  of 
colic,  which  came  near  proving  fatal ;  but  in 
the  morning  he  was  better,  and  as  I  entered  his 
room,  he  remarked,  "  Well,  brother  Caddy,  I 
am  not  sorry  that  I  gave  my  heart  to  God  long 
years  ago.  It  is  my  comfort  and  solace  now 
that  age  and  infirmity  is  upon  me.      The  part- 


154  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

ing  scene  at  the  house  of  brother  Robert  Pattbn, 
will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  Several  persons 
were  there,  among  others  brother  Eowe  and 
■wife.  He  gave  a  word  of  counsel  and  encourage- 
ment to  each  one  separately.  It  was  like  a 
father  parting  with  his  children.  It  was  a 
time  of  weeping,  and  yet  of  rejoicing.  In  com- 
ing to  this  meeting,  he  suffered  much  incon- 
venience on  account  of  the  buggy  seat  being  too 
low ;  so  to  remedy  this  inconvenience,  we 
lashed  the  back  part  of  a  broken  chair  to  the 
back  of  the  carriage  seat,  thus  forming  a  com- 
fortable rest  for  the  occupant.  This  arrange- 
ment being  made,  we  left  the  neighborhood, 
and  spent  the  first  night  on  our  way  back  with 
brother  Peter  Yanpelt.  I  never,  until  now, 
was  so  fully  aware  of  the  helplessness  of  my 
venerable  charge.  At  the  supper  table  he  said 
to  the  lady,  with  his  usual  politeness  and  grace, 
"  You  will  please  excuse  me,  sister,  but  if  you 
please,  you  will  give  me  my  cofi'ee  in  a  tin  cup  ; 
I  cannot  use  a  cup  and  saucer  as  formerly  (his 
nerves  being  much  deranged),  and  you  will  suf- 
fer me  to  eat  in  my  own  way  ?  "  This  was  all 
affectionately  assented  to.  When  he  retired  to 
tis  bedroom,  he  called  me  to  him,  and  requested 
me  to  assist  him  to  undress.  I  did  so.  He 
then  said,  "  That  will  do,"  and  with  a  pleasant 


REMINISCENCES.  155 

"•  good  night,"  lie  lay  down  to  his  rest.  In  the 
morning  we  were  soon  on  our  way  to  his 
home-,  a  near  route  was  directed  by  him, 
which  facilitated  the  journey.  We  arrived. 
I  assisted  him  out  of  the  carriage,  and  he  lay 
down  to  rest.  I  had  a  brief  conversation  with 
his  aged  lady  and  family,  and  it  being  necessary 
for  me  to  go  on,  I  thought  I  would  leave  and 
not  disturb  him.  I,  however,  went  softly  to  the 
door  of  his  chamber,  and  to  his  bed ;  when,  to 
my  surprise,  he  turned  quickly  over^  and  fixing 
his  beaming,  benevolent  face  full  upon  mine, 
said,  "  Well,  are  you  going?"  and  with  a  bless- 
ing and  farewell  upon  his  lips,  we  parted,  to 
meet  no  more  on  earth. 

C.  CADDY. 
Lwia,  Ohio,  February  28,  1860. 

Some  time  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Dobbins, 
the  writer,  by  request,  delivered  a  funeral  dis- 
course on  his  death,  near  the  old  homestead, 
in  a  grove  contiguous  to  the  Old  Union  Chapel. 
The  day  was  rather  favorable,  and  as  the 
appointment  had  been  made  and  published  in 
the  papers  weeks  belbre,  as  might  have  been 
expected,  there  was  a  very  large  audience  pre- 
sent. There  was  the  aged  widow,  relict  of  the 
deceased  ;  there  were  his  children,  two  sons  and 


156  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBKRT   DOBBINS. 

a  daughter ;  there  were  old  settlers  who  had 
sat  under  theXministrj  of  Mr.  Dobbins  long 
years  before,  and  who  had  shared  with  him  the 
toils  and  trials  of  neighborhood  life;,  there 
were  heads  of  families  who  had  sat  under  his 
ministry  when  tfhey  were  children;  there  were 
young  people,  with  whom  the  name  of  Mr. 
Dobbins  had  been  a  household  word  from  the 
days  of  their  infancy.  This  great  congrega- 
tion gathered  together,  was  an  evidence  that  the 
deceased  lived  not  only  in  the  memory,  but 
also  in  the  affections  of  the  people. 


TRUTHFULNESS  OF   OUR  NARRATIVE.      157 


CHAPTER. 

Truthfulness  of  our  Narrative — Mr.  Dobbins  did  not  profess  to  be  an 
Educated  Man — He  was  a  Diligent  Student — An  Able  Defender  of 
the  Christian  Scriptures  against  the  Attacks  of  Infidelity — Possessed 
an  Analytical  Mind — Instructive  in  Private  Conversation — Plain  and 
simple  in  the  Pulpit — Mental  Independence — Social  Character — His 
House  a  House  of  Prayer — He  was  the  Young  Preacher's  Friend — ■ 
Manner  in  the  Pulpit— Never  played  the  Orator — Made  no  preten- 
sions to  an  ornate  style — Logic,  rather  than  Rhetoric,  his  forte — Faith- 
ful in  reproving  Sin  from  the  Pulpit — Personal  Appearance — Mrs. 
Dobbins — Conclusion. 

WE  have  now  presented  tlie  reader  with 
such  facts  and  incidents  in  the  life  of 
Mr.  Dobbins  as  we  are  able  to  command.  The 
substantial  biographical  facts  incorporated  with 
this  volume,  as  already  intimated  in  the  Pre- 
face, were  obtained  from  him  several  years 
prior  to  his  death ;  and  the  circumstances  and 
incidents  in  connection  with  his  latter  days, 
sickness,  and  death,  from  reliable  friends ;  and  a 
few  other  incidents  were  such  as  came  under 
the  writer's  observation. 

We  have  traced  the  narrative  through  as 
well  as  we  were  able,  and  it  may  not  be  inap- 
propriate here  to  give  the  reader  a  sketch  of 
the  leading  characteristics  of  our  departed  father 
and  friend.     Mr.  Dobbins  did  not  profess  to  be 


168  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

an  educated  man.  The  unfa,vorable  circum- 
stances with  which  he  was  surrounded,  as 
already  intimated,  prevented  this.  Still  he  was 
a  diligent  student  through  life,  and  applied 
himself  to  the  acquisition  of  that  kind  of  know- 
ledge which  the  pulpit  especially  demanded. 
Being  at  one  period  of  his  life  inclined  to  skep- 
ticism, he  felt  it  his  duty,  after  his  conversion, 
to  prepare  himself  to  defend  the  Christian  scrip- 
tures from  the  vile  assaults  of  skeptical  philoso- 
phers. Hence,  he  availed  himself  of  all  the  facili- 
ties at  command  to  enable  him  to  stand  in  the 
breach  in  defence  of  the  Christian's  hope.  He 
gathered  up  all  the  volumes  at  command  writ- 
ten against  Christianity,  and  by  his  astute  and 
logical  ability  unveiled  the  sophistries  of  the 
votaries  of  a  false  philosophy,  and  exposed  the 
nakedness  of  the  ground.  He  possessed  an 
analytical  mind  ;  this,  perhaps,  was  his  lead- 
ing mental  characteristic  ;  with  him  it  was  per- 
fectly natural  to  analyze  and  combine,  even  in 
conversation. 

A  visitor  could  not  be  long  with  this  aged 
man,  without  feeling  that  he  was  in  the  pres- 
ence of  a  mental  power  of  no  ordinary  grade. 
His  first  introduction  to  a  stranger,  and  plain, 
simple  words  of  welcome,  would  not  indicate 
anything  extraordinary ;  but  during  an   even- 


TRAITS  OF  MIND  AND  CHARACTER.         159 

ing's  interview,  gems  of  mental  beauty  wonld 
shine  out,  so  that  the  listener  could  not  fail  to 
see  the  point,  and  feel  the  power  of  his  analyti- 
cal expositions.  In  the  pulpit,  and  in  social 
converse,  he  did  not  employ  words  beyond  the 
comprehension  of  common  minds.  There  was 
no  effort  at  display,  but  in  all  his  communica- 
tions he  employed  plain  Anglo-Saxon  words. 
His  great  object  was  to  impart  instruction  to 
those  who  desired  to  be  taught ;  his  communi- 
cations were,  therefore,  plain,  conclusive  and 
strong.  The  least  defect  in  an  argument  would 
he  detected  at  once,  for  his  searching  mind 
would  see  through,  it  in  all  its  relations,  and  a 
defect,  if  any,  would  be  immediately  pointed 
out. 

Simplicity  and  strength  were  elements  hap- 
pily combined  in  his  mental  nature — elements 
which  do  not  always  exist  in  the  same  mind. 
A  mind  may  be  simple  and  feeble,  or  strong  and 
abstruse;  the  first,  if  in  possession  of  other 
redeeming  elements,  may  be  of  great  service  to 
mankind ;  the  latter  may  be  of  value  to  a  high 
grade  of  intellect :  but  the  man  in  whom  sim- 
plicity and  strength  are  happily  combined,  can- 
not fail  of  being  useful  to  all.  It  would  be 
folly  for  us  to  claim  for  Mr.  Dobbins  thorough- 
ness in  every  department  of  knowledge.     He, 


160  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS, 

like  other  men,  had  his  specialities,  and  these, 
for  the  most  part,  occupied  his  attention  through 
life.  The  great  attributes  of  the  Deity  was  a 
field  in  which  he  loved  to  ruminate,  and  in  the 
department  of  moral  philosophy,  in  its  various 
relations  and  details,  he  was  at  home. 

Mental  Independence. — It  would  naturally  be 
inferred  from  what  we  have  said,  that  he  pos- 
sessed an  independent  mind ;  not  that  dogmatic 
adherence  to  opinion,  right  or  wrong,  which 
too  often  palms  itself  upon  the  public  as  being 
the  result  of  an  independent  spirit.  He  who 
stubbornly  adheres  to  a  position  in  the  presence 
of  evidence  directly  to  the  contrary,  furnishes 
unmistakable  evidence  oi  folly  ;  and  he  who  is 
controlled  in  his  actions  by  the  dictations  of  the 
many  or  few,  without  a  proper  exercise  of  his 
own  intellectual  powers,  furnishes  equally  as 
strong  an  evidence  of  cowardice. 

Mr.  Dobbins  had  a  great  respect  for  reputa- 
ble authorities,  but  did  not  receive  their  com- 
munications implicitly,  without  examination; 
but  in  every  matter  of  importance  he  brought 
the  sayings  of  others  to  the  logical  tests  of  his 
own  mind.  Always  open  to  conviction,  and 
ever  disposed  to  listen  with  respectful  attention 
to  the  arguments  and  sentiments  of  others,  he 
was,  at  the  same  time,  unwilling  to  relinquish  a 


SOCIAL  CHARACTER.  161 

position  wliich  was  tlie  result  of  a  thorough 
investigation,  without  reasonable  evidence  to  the 
contrary.  His  self-possession  never  forsook  him 
in  social  debate,  and  while  his  opponent  might 
be  unduly  excited,  he  was  the  same  calm,  dispas- 
sionate, deliberate  reasoner.  In  his  social  char- 
acter, he  rendered  himself  interesting  to  all  with 
whom  he  associated.  Easy  in  his  manners, 
every  one  felt  at  home  in  his  presence. 

In  the  presence  of  his  junior  brethren,  he 
would  place  himself  in  the  attitude  of  a  learner, 
asking  questions  in  a  familiar  way,  thus  bring- 
ing them  out  into  the  field  of  pleasant  debate, 
and  while  apparently  learning  from  them,  he 
was  the  real  instructor.  This  course  could  not 
fail  to  secure  the  love  and  friendship  of  his 
brethren. 

Nearly  twenty  years  ago,  the  writer  found 
himself  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Dobbins  for  the 
first  time.  A  great  freshet  had  come,  and  the 
banks  of  the  stream  near  by  were  overflowed, 
and  the  waters  covered  the  lowlands  for  a  great 
distance;  and  as  a  result,  the  writer  was  com- 
pelled to  remain  several  days.  It  fell  to  the 
lot  of  the  wayfarer  to  lead  the  family  devotions, 
morning  and  evening,  for  several  days ;  finally, 
he  ventured  to  ask  his  kind  host  to  lead  the 
devotions.  He  replied  in  a  pleasant  way,  "  0, 
11 


162  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

no !  You  are  on  my  hands.  I  must  board  you, 
and  you  must  do  the  praying." 

His  house  was  a  house  of  prayer.  Morning 
and  evening  the  voice  of  prayer  ascended  from 
that  family  altar.  His  commanding  presence 
and  words  of  counsel  and  consistent  life  in  the 
midst  of  his  household,  was  a  sufficient  com- 
ment upon  the  value  and  power  of  our  holy 
religion. 

He  was  the  young  preacher'' s  friend.  There 
are  ministers  now  among  us  who  can  bear  tes- 
timony to  this  truth.  He  was  ever  ready  to 
take  the  inexperienced  youth  by  the  hand,  and 
give  him  words  of  advice  and  encouragem.ent ; 
at  his  house  he  found  a  home,  and  when  there 
once,  he  desired  to  go  again.  It  was  a  sort  of 
theological  school,  where  he  might  learn  import- 
ant lessons,  and  be  better  prepared  for  his  work. 
He  knew  how  to  lead  the  wayward  and  encour- 
age the  diffident ;  and  Vv^hatever  might  be  the 
deficiencies  of  the  youthful  divine,  he  always 
detected  the  good  qualities,  and  these  were 
made  the  subject  of  remark  in  the  presence  of 
othei:s.  On  a  certain  occasion,  however,  he 
was  so  unfortunate  as  to  give  some  offence  to 
certain  unmarried  preachers — members  of  the 
same  Conference.  It  was  in  this  wise.  At  an 
Annual  Conference  in  Cincinnati  many  years 


MANNER  IN  THE  PULPIT.  163 

ago,  the  subject  of  ministerial  efficiency,  was, 
in  some  way,  made  a  subject  of  remark.  Our 
venerable  friend  Dobbins  made  a  speech,  and 
in  the  course  of  his  remarks,,  had  occasion  to 
say,  that  in  his  opinion  married  ministers  were, 
in  the  general,  more  useful  than  single  ones. 
Now  there  were  certain  old  bachelors,  members 
of  the  Conference  present,  and  they  took  it  in 
high  dudgeon  to  think  they  should  be  depreci- 
ated simply  because  they  had  no  wives.  They 
rose  and  made  some  defence,  and  among  other 
things,  said,  "According  to  the  logic  of  the 
venerable  brother,  that  to  be  the  most  efficient 
and  useful  in  the  church  of  God  as  ministers,  it 
wonld  be  necessary  for  them  to  go  and  get 
married." 

These  good  brethren  appear  to  have  remem- 
bered the  old  motto,  "  A  word  to  the  wise  is 
sufficient,"  and  they  did  go  and  get  married,  and 
so  far  as  I  can  learn,  have  been  very  happy  in 
the  new  relation. 

Manner  in  the  Puljpit. — I  infer  from  his  man- 
ner and  appearance  in  the  pulpit  in  his  declining 
years,  that  in  the  days  of  his  power  he  stood 
erect  and  firm.  His  petitions  at  the  Throne  of 
Grace  were  short,  direct  and.  impressive.  His 
gestures  were  few  and  generally  appropriate. 
His  exordium  was  brief,  and  led  him  directly  to 


164  LIFE  OF   KEV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

the  subject  in  hand.  The  strong  lines  of  his 
face,  expressive  eyes,  and  unassumed  gravity 
of  countenance,  indicated  to  the  hearer  that  he 
felt  that  he  was  an  ambassador  of  heaven, 
s.peaking  to  dying  men. 

In  the  beginning  of  his  discourse  there  was  a 
slight  tremulousness  of  voice  that  arrested  atten- 
tion and  awakened  emotion.  His  sermon  con- 
sisted of  alternate  exposition  and  application. 
He  never  played  the  orator.  His  sermons  were 
almost  entirely  destitute  of  what  would  be 
called  the  rhetorical  element.  He  had  very 
little  faith  in  a  merely  beautiful  style;  hence 
finely  wrought  figures  were  seldom,  if  ever,  an 
element  in  his  discourses. 

He  had  no  objection  to  an  ornate  style  when 
happily  blended  with  solid  Gospel  truth.  He 
could  see  the  diamond  in  its  bed  of  sand,  and 
admire  it.  He  could  see  the  beautiful  tints  of 
the  rainbow  revealing  themselves  through  the 
sunshine  and  the  shower,  and  admire  the  beau- 
tiful blending  of  the  rainbow  colors  with  the 
prismatic  drops  of  crystalline  beauty  descend- 
ing gently  through  the  golden  beams  of  the 
setting  sun.  He  could  see  the  snow-white 
blossom  crowning  the  embryo  fruit,  and  shad- 
ing and  sheltering  it  with  its  virgin  leaves. 
He  could  see  the  beautiful  rose  bending   and 


HE  REASONED  WITH  MEN.  165 

bathing  its  blushing  bead  in  the  early  sun-light 
of  the  new-born  day.  He  could  see  through  all 
nature,  beauty  and  usefulness  happily  combined, 
and  was  prepared  to  admire  it  all.  But  when' 
he  saw  a  professed  ambassador  of  Christ  ascend 
the  pulpit,  and  furnish  a  practical  evidence  that 
he  was  "in  fancy  ripe,  in  reason  rotten,"  he 
turned  away  in  silent  sorrow,  and  felt  inclined 
to  weep  over  human  folly. 

He  felt  that  his  mission  was  to  "  reason  with 
men  out  of  the  scriptures."  It  is  said  that  when 
"Paul  reasoned  of  righteousness,  temperance, 
and  a  judgment  to  come,  Felix  trembled ; "  so 
when  the  hero  of  this  narrative  buckled  on  the 
Gospel  armor,  the  hearer,  not  unfrequently, 
felt  that  the  Gospel  was  both  the  wisdom  and 
power  of  God.  We  may  say  further,  in  this 
connection,  that  he  was  not  a  time-serving 
preacher.  He  felt  it  a  duty  to  expose  sin 
wherever  he  found  it,  whether  in  high  or  low 
places.  He  did  not  stop  to  think  whether  it 
would  be  palatable  or  not ;  it  was  enough  for 
him  to  know  that  there  were  those  in  his  con- 
gregation living  in  the  indulgence  of  any  par- 
ticular sin.  He  then  drew  an  arrow  from  the 
Gospel  quiver,  which  would  seldom  fail  of 
reaching  its  mark. 
*  He  felt  that  he  was  a  watchman  upon  Zion's 


166  LIFE  OF  REV    ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

walls,  and  wlicn  be  saw  the  sword  coming,  he 
felt  the  importance  of  giving  timely  warning. 
He  remembered  the  words  of  Jehovah  against 
the  unfiiithful  watchman.  "If  tli«  watchman 
see  the  sword  come,  and  blow  not  the  trumpet, 
and  the  people  be  not  warned  ;  if  the  sword 
come  and  take  any  person  from  among  them, 
he  is  taken  away  in  his  iniquity ;  but  his  blood 
will  I  require  at  the  watchman's  hand  I " 

I  remember  an  instance  of  ministerial  fidelity 
in  connection  with  the  subject  of  these  pages, 
which  occurred  at  a  protracted  meeting  held 
by  the  writer.  Two  old  men  in  the  neighbor- 
hood— both,  I  believe,  members  of  the  church — 
had  so  far  forgotten  their  Christian  character 
as  to  get  into  a  serious  quarrel,  and  manifested 
a  very  bitter  spirit  towards  each  other.  One  of 
them,  and  perhaps  both,  were  present  at  the 
eleven  o'clock  services  Sabbath  morning. 

Mr.  Dobbins  conducted  the  services,  and  I 
never  shall  forget  the  scathing  rebuke  these  men 
received  at  the  hand  of  the  preacher.  The 
quaint  figure  employed  to  illustrate  the  scene  ot 
two  aged  men  engaged  in  a  quarrel,  which  nearly 
resulted  in  blows,  rendered  the  scene  not  only 
ridiculous,  but  positively  mean.  It  was  age  re- 
buking age,  and  it  had,  to  a  considerable  extent, 
its  desired  effect.     It  requires  a  great  deal  of 


MINISTERIAL  FIDELITY.  167 

yisdom  to  know  how  and  when  to  reprove  and 
attack  a  particular  form,  of  sin  from  the  pulpit. 
Ministers  are  not  always  wise  in  this  connec- 
tion, and  an  untimely  rebuke  will  probably 
defeat  the  end  in  view.  The  minister  who  goes 
forth  to  ^'  warn  sinners  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come,"  and  is  prepared  to  obey  the  injunction 
to  be  "wise  as  the  serpent,"  as  well  as  ''harm- 
less as  the  dove,"  is  prepared  for  great  useful- 
ness in  the  church  of  God.  And  the  minister 
who  fails  to  discharge  his  whole  duty,  and  with- 
holds any  part  of  the  truth  for  fear  of  offending 
popular  patrons  of  the  church,  and  thereby  in- 
directly panders  to  any  of  the  abominations  of 
the  age,  acts  a  pitiable  part — is  unfaithful  to  his 
trust — and  will  surely  bring  upon  himself  the 
disapprobation  of  heaven. 

Personal  Appearance. — Mr.  Dobbins  was 
about  five  feet  and  ten  inches  in  height.  He 
did  not  appear  as  tall  as  this  in  the  latter  years 
of  his  life,  being  considerably  bowed  with  age. 
His  head  was  large,  with  an  ample  forehead  ;  and 
when  in  the  prime  of  manhood,  he  possessed  a 
luxuriant  growth  of  hair,  but  in  age  he  was  con- 
siderably bald.  His  eyes  were  blue  and  ex- 
pressive— a  prominent  nose  and  large  mouth. 
In  his  facial  expression  there  was  a  beautiful 
blending  of  affection  and  firmness,  with  a  con- 


168  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT   DOBBINS. 

stant  tendency  to  a  half-developed  smile.  Tlis 
countenance  indicated  a  soul  within  at  perfect 
peace.  He  had  a  well  developed  body,  pre- 
senting a  powerful  chest,  and  in  the  days  of  his 
strong  manhood  he  would  have  weighed  at  least 
two  hundred  pounds. 

He  never  used  tobacco  in  any  form,  and 
whatever  may  have  been  his  vices  in  the  days 
of  his  folly,  intemperance  in  the  use  of  ardent 
spirits  was  not  one  of  them. 

His  habit  of  self-control  through  life,  and 
especially  after  his  conversion  to  the  truth,  in 
all  probability  contributed  greatly  to  that  lon- 
gevity which  he  enjoyed  upon  the  earth. 

We  now,  for  the  present,  bid  adieu  to  the 
subject  of  these  pages,  bearing  constantly  in 
mind  the  truth  that  the  interim  between  his 
exit  and  ours  is  short.  We  will  meet  again  in 
that  far-away  land  of  beauty  and  bliss,  where 
the  sunlight  of  the  Saviour  will  be  undimmed 
by  a  shadow,  and  where  all  the  redeemed  will 
enjoy  the  freeness  and  fullness  of  the  "  rest  that 
remains  for  the  people  of  God." 

The  aged  relict  of  Mr.  Dobbins  still  lingers 
upon  the  shores  of  time,  and  the  reader  may  be 
intel-ested  in  a  brief  sketch  of  this  venerable 
lady,  as  she  appeared  to  the  writer  two  years 
ago.     She  is  now  nearly  ninety  years  old. 


MRS.  JANE  DOBBINS.  169 

After  an  absence  of  several  years,  I  called 
upon  this  venerable  woman,  and  found  her 
sitting  upon  the  porch,  enjoying  the  gentle 
breezes  of  a  summer  afternoon.  She  did  not 
recognize  me.  I  remarked,  that  she  had 
changed  x^ry  little  since  our  last  interview. 
She  replied  that,  "  she  did  not  remember  how 
long  it  had  been  since  we  last  met."  It  was 
still  apparent  that  she  did  not  know  me,  and 
when  I  gave  her  my  name,  she  repeated  it 
twice,  saying  that  the  name  was  familiar,  and 
she  had  heard  it  certainly  before.  She  failed  to 
recollect  me  during  that  evening.  She  said, 
"it  was  very  strange  that  the  memory  of  per- 
sons would  fail  them  so  much."  She  then 
engaged  in  conversation  in  reference  to  matters 
of  current  interest  and  of  past  events,  with  con- 
siderable animation  and  intelligence.  This 
conversation  was  continued,  at  intervals,  for 
several  hours,  while  she  was  entirely  unaware 
of  the  person  with  whom  she  was  engaged  in 
conversation.  This  interview  was,  to  me,  pecu- 
liarly impressive  and  instructive.  This  lady 
had  been  as  a  mother  to  me  years  before. 

She  is  slight  in  physical  structure,  w^eighing 
not  more  than  ninety  pounds,  and  frail  in  appear- 
ance, with  beautiful  black  eyes,  and  alabaster 
face.     Though   so   delicate  and  frail   in  struc- 


170  LIFE  OF  REV.  ROBERT    DOBBINS. 

ture  and  appearance,  she  is  quick  in  her  move- 
ments, and  her  apparel  arranged  witli  punctil- 
ious care. 

She  moves  about  with  fairy-like  celerity, 
with  her  feet  encased  in  morocco  slippers.  She 
glides  about  unheard,  revealing  a  form  so  taste- 
fully arrayed  as  would  form  a  model  for  a 
sculptor.  You  may  see  her  now  as  she  glides 
along  the  porch  into  the  garden.  She  wanders 
awhile  among  the  flowers,  and  finally  breaks 
from  a  parent  stem  a  choice  rose,  and  returns 
with  it  in  her  hand,  humming  a  tune  in  a  trem- 
ulous, silvery  voice.  Taking  up  the  broom  and 
sweeping  gently  for  a  few  moments  with  the 
rose  still  in  her  hand,  and  finally,  seated  in  her 
rocking  chair,  she  resumes  conversation,  toying 
with  the  beautiful  garden  treasure,  fit  emblem 
of  purity  and  affection.  She  appears  to  be  per- 
fectly happy.  Now,  old  associations,  to  a  con- 
siderable extent,  return,  and  she  addresses  me 
by  name,  and  converses  familiarly  as  in  other 
years.  When  I  was  about  to  leave,  she  asked 
me  when  I  was  coming  again,  and  urged  me 
to  come  soon  and  bring  Mrs.  Caddy  with  me. 
What  scene  on  earth  more  beautiful  than  old  age 
sanctified  by  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
— ripe  for  the  better  land.  So  will  this  esti- 
mable woman  linger  a  few  more  days  on  earth, 
and  then  join  her  loved  ones  on  the  other  shore. 


SKETCHES 


OF  THE  LIFE  OF 


Hey.  Joab  W.  Ragan. 


By    C.    caddy, 

MINISTER  OF  THE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


"  He,  being  dead,  yet  speaketh.'' — Heb.  xi.  4. 

"  To  this  end  was  I  born,  and  for  this  cause  came  I  into  the  world, 
that  I  should  bear  witness  unto  the  truth." — St.  Johw  xviii.  37. 


PEEFACE 


The  practical  life  of  man  is  a  life  of  great 
and  important  issues, — mind  operating  upon 
mind  in  direct  antagonism ;  each  exerting  its 
power  for  the  accomplishment  of  its  own  end. 
Truth  and  error  are  opposites — righteousness 
and  sin  are  in  the  world,  each  having  its 
votaries,  triumphs  and  defeats. 

The  success  of  the  latter  is  the  death-knell 
of  peace  ;  the  triumph  of  the  former  is  the  life- 
spring  of  hope  to  the ,  world.  We  see,  then, 
two  great  armies,  each  contending  for  the  mas- 
tery ;  and  the  leading  minds  on  the  side  of  error 
and  sin  are  many,  vigilant  and  wise,  and  often 
fearfully  successful.  The  leading  agencies  in 
the  grand  army  of  the  Prince  of  Peace  are  nu- 
merous and  strong,  and  we  have  faith  in  the 
fact  that  they  will  yet  prove  more  than  a  match 
for  their  enemies.  Are  there  not,  in  this  con- 
nection, indications  of  increasing  strength  in 
the  Christian  world  ?  Is  not  the  great  doctrine 
of  evangelical  consolidation,  taught  by  our  Sa- 
viour, being  carried  out  to  a  greater  extent  than 

ever  before  ? 

(173) 


174  PREFACE. 

The  Saviour  prayed  that  his  disciples  might 
be  one — even  as  "  Thou,  Father,  art  in  me,  and  I 
ill  thee,  that  they  also  may  be  one  in  us :  that 
the  world  may  believe  that  thou  hast  sent  me." 
St.  John  xvii.  21.  Is  not  the  spirit  of  this 
great  prayer  more  fully  appreciated  now  than 
ever  before  ?  May  this  spirit  of  true  evangeli- 
cal progress  increase  more  and  more,  and  in 
proportion  to  the  development  and  practical 
exercise  of  this  spirit  will  be  the  power  and 
efficiency  of  the  church  of  God. 

We  rejoice  at  the  achievements  of  the  cross. 
We  rejoice  to  know  that  the  Christian  mis- 
sionary has  crossed  the  limpid  deep,  and  found 
his  way  to  Ceylon's  isle  and  Afric's  burning 
shore.  We  rejoice  to  learn  that  the  banner  of 
the  cross  has  been  seen  floating  upon  the  hill- 
tops of  Syria  and  the  plains  of  India,  and  that 
the  song  of  rejoicing  and  praise  has  been  heard 
from  the  isles  of  the  ocean. 

We  praise  the  name  of  our  Heavenly  Father 
that  the  statiis  of  practical  Christianity  in  our 
own  land  is  as  favorable  as  it  is ;  it  might 
have  been  better,  and  we  pray  for  its  improve- 
ment. As  we  look  abroad  upon  the  great  field 
of  Christian  labor,  we  see  the  workmen  gather- 
ing sheaves,  and  as  the  harvest-time  rolls  on, 
we  see  here  and  there   laborers  falling  in  the 


PREFACE.  175 

midst  of  their  toil,  and  gliding  away  to  mingle 
with  the  unseen  on  the  other  shore. 

But  while  "the  workmen  die,  the  work  goes 
on."  We  are  very  liable  to  forget  the  fact,  that 
for  the  present  vantage  ground  we  are  permit- 
ted to  enjoy  as  Christian  laborers,  we  are  in- 
debted to  Christian  instrumentalities  that  have 
long  since  passed  away  from  our  midst.  O, 
how  many  of  the  good  and  true  whom  we 
delighted  to  honor  have  passed  away  from  labor 
to  reward !  Their  godly  example  is  embalmed 
in  the  memory  of  those  who  knew  them,  and  as 
we  stand  around  their  sepulchers  and  think  of 
the  past,  we  see,  in  imagination,  the  motto  en- 
shrined within  each  soul,  rose-wreathed  and 
pure  as  the  spirit  that  set  it  there — Virtue  and 
Victory. 

JoAB  W.  RagAxN"  stood  upon  the  walls  of 
Zion  long  3^ears  ago.  With  implements  in 
hand  he  stood  by  his  peers,  "  Redeeming  the 
time,"  feeling  that  the  night  would  soon  come. 
Neither  did  he  work  in  vain,  for  though  young 
in  years,  he  was  a  master  builder,  working,  not 
for  time  only,  but,  as  his  zeal  and  persistency 
indicated,  for  eternity. 

With  his  armor  on  and  fully  equipped,  a 
leader  upon  the  walls,  encouraging  others  by 
his  example,  while  much  remained  to  be  done, 


176  PREFACE. 

ere  it  was  liigli  noon  the  messenger  came  and 
beckoned  him  away;  and  before  his  associates 
are  aware,  he  is  missing  from  the  walls,  for  he 
has  glided  out  and  away  to  the  far-off  land 
where  the  "  weary  are  at  rest." 

What  can  we  say  of  this  beloved  young 
minister,  whose  career  was  so  short  among  us  ? 
What  we  may  record  in  the  following  pages 
will  only  be  a  faint  lymning  of  that  perfection 
of  character  which  he  was  enabled,  through 
grace,  to  attain.  In  the  fullness  of  future 
knowledge,  when  brought  into  intimate  associa- 
tion with  loved  ones  departed,  scenes  which 
transpired  here,  many  of  which  we  may  never 
know  on  earth,  will  shine  out  amid  the  beauty 
and  glory  of  the  future  time. 

C.  CADDY. 
May,  1868. 


SKETCHES  OF  THE  LIFE 

OP 

EEY.    JOAB     W.    EAGAN. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Parentage— Childhood— Surroundings— Reared  by  Pious  Parents— Re- 
moval of  his  Father  and  Family  to  Beaver  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1806 — Evinces  a  strong  desire  for  the  acquisition  of  knowledge — 
Determination  to  excel — A  pleasure  to  see  others  make  an  effort 
in  the  Path  of  Improvement. 

JOAB  W.  RAG- AN  was  born  in  Westmore- 
land county,  Pennsylvania,  February  14, 
1802.  He  was  the  third  son  of  Zachariah  and 
Mary  Ragan.  The  first  four  years  of  his  life 
were  spent  at  the  home  of  his  birth,  and  it  was 
here  where  the  embryo  mind  first  began  to 
open  to  the  beauties  of  nature. 

The  surroundings  of  infancy  and  early  child- 
hood have  more  to  do  in  moulding  the  gradu- 
ally unfolding  spirit  than  many  are  aware. 
The  variegated  scenery  of  nature,  incident  to 
the  several  seasons  of  the  year,  obtrude  them- 
Bftlves  upon  the  eye  of  the  baby  worshiper,  and 
12  (177) 


1  i  8  REV.  JOAB  W.  RAGAN. 

awaken  a  thousand  thoughts  of  wonder  and 
astonishment.  Spring,  with  its  early  buds  and 
birds, — one  revealing  their  beauty  to  the  busy 
eye,  and  the  other  greeting  the  rosy  morn  with 
tlieir  early  songs,  have  charms  for  childhood. 

Summer,  with  its  full-blown  blossoms  scat- 
tered with  a  liberal  hand  around  the  home  of 
their  birth,  looking  like  manna  from  the  sky, 
and  the  waving  grain  fields  bending  in  graceful 
undulations  to  the  gentle  touches  of  the  summer 
breeze,  and  the  tasseled  corn  standing  proudly 
up  in  the  lowlands  like  an  army  of  giants,  each 
one  bearing  an  ear,  its  only  armor,  sheathed 
within  a  casement  of  overlapped  husks,  and 
crowned  with  a  tassel  of  crimson  and  white, 
spun  by  the  sunshine  and  the  shower,  and 
nourished  by  the  dew  drops  in  the  season  of 
drought — all  have  their  lessons  of  love  for  the 
developing  spirit  of  the  little  boy. 

Autumn,  with  its  ripened  fruits  and  red 
leaves  tinged  with  a  golden  hue,  obeying  the 
summons  of  a  premature  frost,  falling  and  float- 
ing in  the  air,  until  they  find  their  final  rest 
near  the  parent  that  gave  them  birth,  and  the 
strange  beauty  of  an  Indian  Summer's  sun,  cast- 
ing a  mellow  grandeur  upon  earth's  beautiful 
scenes,  are  objects  of  childish  interest  to  the 
little  immortal. 


SURROUNDINGS.  179 

Winter,  witli  its  winds  and  storms,  and  its 
icy  coat  of  mail,  sealing  up  the  circuitous 
stream  by  the  mill  with  a  glassy  lock  of 
blended  crystals,  where  the  boys, — Ah!  and 
the  girls — may  glide  like  fairies  about,  perform 
ing  grotesque  gyrations  and  wonderful  evolu 
tions,  which  astonish  even  the  old  folks  to  see — 
and  the  trembling  snow-flakes  of  crystalline 
beauty,  retaining  their  form  until  rudely  com- 
pressed, and  then  subserving  a  wise  and  benevo- 
lent end,  in  shieldinor  and  sheltering^  the  winter 
grain,  and  forming  a  highway  of  velvet  smooth- 
ness, where  the  sleigh,  laden  with  merry  inmates, 
would  glide  noiselessly  along,  were  it  not  for 

"  The  ringing  of  the  bells;"— 

— These  all  have  their  influences  in  forming  the 
young  spirit  in  harmony  with  the  Divine  model. 
Such  were  the  surroundings  of  yoang  Ragan 
during  his  incipient  life,  and  his  parents,  like 
Zachariah  and  Elizabeth  of  old,  ''were  both 
righteous  before  God,"  and  humbly  striving  to 
''  walk  in  all  the  commandments  and  ordinances 
of  the  Lord."  Consequently,  every  effort  was 
made  to  train  up  their  infant  son  in  "  the  way 
he  should  go,"  and  when  precept  and  example, 
in  the  home  of  early  childhood,  are  responsive 


180  REV.  JOAB  W.  RAGAN. 

to  the  teachings  of  Nature,  may  it  not  be  ex- 
pected that  the  inquiring  spirit  will  be  led 
readily  up  "through  nature  to  nature's  God?" 
So  we  believe. 

If  we  may  judge  of  the  precocity  of  his  mind 
in  his  childhood  days,  and  from  the  wonderful 
activities  of  his  spirit  in  the  days  of  his  strong 
manhood,  we  infer  that  the  early  life  lessons 
received  contributed  largely  to  give  him  per- 
manency of  Christian  character  in  after  years. 
In  1806,  his  father  and  family  removed  to 
Beaver  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  settled  on  a 
farm  in  little  Beaver  Township,  where  young 
Eagan  was  reared.  In  early  life  he  evinced  a 
strong  desire  for  the  acquisition  of  knowledge 
and  literary  distinction,  and  in  this  connection 
was  probably  regarded  as  an  aspiring  youth. 
He  was  not  content  to  be  behind  his  fellows, 
but  desired  to  be,  not  only  a  peer  among 
them,  but,  if  possible,  to  outstrip  them  all. 
Who  ever  became  distinguished  in  the  world 
of  letters  or  art  without  a  desire  to  excel  ? 

Coupled  with  the  desire  to  which  we  have 
referred  was  another,  which  is  heaven-like.  It 
was  a  source  of  great  pleasure  to  him  to  see 
others  climb  the  hill  of  science.  There  was,  to 
him    something  noble  in  effort,  and  if  others 


DETEEMINED  TO  EXCEL.  181 

could  leave  him  behind  in  the  race,  he  would 
not  complain,  but  applaud  them  the  more. 
Envy  had  no  place  in  his  nature.  It  was  his 
pleasure  to  see  others  rise,  and  he  was  deter- 
mined to  rise  himself.  This  element  in  his 
nature  endeared  him  to  all  his  associates.  It 
is  recorded  by  one  who  knew  him  well,  "  that 
he  was  possessed  of  an  amiable  and  affectionate 
disposition,  and  was  much  beloved  and  esteemed 
by  his  associates,  and  the  companions  of  his 
youth." 

Although  he  possessed  so  strong  a  desire  for 
knowledge,  and  a  disposition  to  reach  a  high 
position  in  the  world  of  letters,  his  opportuni- 
ties were  very  limited.  The  country  was 
sparsely  settled,  and  institutions  for  mental 
culture  were  not  at  command.  In  the  days  of 
his  youth,  the  great  book  of  nature  lay  open 
before  him,  and  with  avidity  he  seized  upon  its 
facts,  and  treasured  them  up,  and  in  addition 
to  this,  he  availed  himself  of  all  the  collateral 
aids  within  reach,  and  with  this  two-fold  ad- 
vantage (as  limited  as  it  would  now  appear) 
he  was  determined  to  urge  his  way  onward  to 
distinction.  It  is  said  by  one  who  stood  by 
him  in  the  days  of  his  budding  manhood, 
**that  in  early  life,  under   the   instruction   of 


182  REV.  JOAB  W.  RAGAN. 

parents  who  taught  him  both  by  precept  and 
example,  the  important  lessons  of  morality  and 
religion,  his  mind  was  impressed  with  a  con- 
viction of  the  truth  of  the  Christian  system, 
and  the  necessity  of  a  change  of  heart." 


CONVERSION.  183 


CHAPTER  11. 

Determiiiation  to  be  a  Christian — Conversion — Thoughts  of  the  Minis- 
try— Incident — Preparation  for  the  Ministry — Keceived  into  tlie 
Traveling  Connection  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  ap- 
pointed to  Brunswick  Circuit — Appointed  to  Mansfield  Circuit — 
Failure  of  Health — Ordained  Deacon — Retires  to  Wooster — Engaged 
in  the  Study  of  the  Hebrew  and  Greek  Languages — Ordained  Elder 
and  appointed  to  Sandusky  Circuit. 

MR.  RAG  AN  passed  through  the  days  of 
his  early  youth  without  yielding  to  the 
convictions  of  his  mind.  Finally,  on  the  24th 
day  of  June,  1823,  in  the  twenty-first  year  of 
his  age,  he  acceded  to  the  importunities  of  the 
Divine  Spirit,  and  became  a  Christian.  This 
interesting  event  was  the  result,  under  God,  of 
the  prayers  and  entreaties  of  a  younger  brother, 
who  had  recently  been  converted  through  the 
instrumentality  of  that  memorable  man  of  God, 
Rev.  William  Swayze,  who  lived  to  a  good  old 
age,  a  witness  for  Christ,  and  for  the  genuine- 
ness of  camp-meeting  conversions.  Mr.  Ragan 
appears  to  have  been  called  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry  from  the  moment  of  his  conversion. 
As  soon  as  he  obtained  the  witness  of  the  Spirit, 
the  words  of  the  Apostle  came  forcibly  to  his 
mind — "  Wo  is  me,  if  I  preach  not  the  Gospel." 


184  KEV.  JOAB  W.  RAGAN. 

During  tbc  incipient  stage  of  his  Cliristian 
experience,  there  were  many  instances  of  success 
in  his  efforts  to  win  sopls  to  Christ,  one  of 
which  may  be  related.  A  few  days  subsequent 
to  his  conversion,  a  prayer-meeting  was  held  in 
his  neighborhood  under  the  direction  of  the 
elders  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  that 
place,  and  Mr.  Kagan  was  induced  to  attend. 
At  the  close  of  the  services,  during  which 
nothing  extraordinary  occurred,  he  politely  re- 
quested the  privilege  of  stating  to  his  young 
friends  his  late  religious  experience.  This 
privilege  was  cordially  granted,  and  he  pro- 
ceeded to  tell  them  what  the  Lord  had  done  for 
his  soul. 

Having  so  recently  received  the  baptism  of 
the  Spirit,  with  a  heart  all  aglow  with 
the  inspiration  of  Heaven  and  a  soul  full  of 
tenderness  and  love,  he  pointed  the  sinner  to 
Jesus,  who  had  done  so  much  for  him.  His 
address,  full  of  Divine  pathos  and  Christian 
zeal,  moved  all  hearts,  and  at  the  close,  as  if 
moved  by  a  divine  impulse,  in  true  old-fash- 
ioned Methodistic  style,  he  invited  seekers  of 
religion  to  come  forward  to  the  altar  of  prayer. 
Some  ten  or  twelve  persons  came  to  the  altar, 
and  the  people  were  baptized  with  the  Spirit's 
blessing,  and  a  prayer- meeting  commenced  in 


THE  YOUNG  EVANGELIST.  185 

earnest  around  that  altar.  There  were  the 
humble  layman,  and  the  steadfast  elders,  and 
the  young  evangelist  working  together  around 
that  altar,  while  a  cloud  of  glory  rested  upon 
all,  and  the  good  news  went  up  from  that  con- 
secrated spot  that  sinners  were  returning  to 
God.  Several  who  came  to  the  altar  that  even- 
ing, were  enabled  to  yield  to  the  Spirit's  call, 
and  rejoiced  in  a  sin-pardoning  God.  This  was 
the  beginning  of  a  great  outpouring  of  the  Spirit 
upon  the  people  in  that  place.  A  revival  of 
religion  thus  begun  continued  to  extend  until 
the  community  around  were  blessed  with  the 
visitations  of  grace,  and  about  two  hundred 
persons  were  enlisted  in  the  army  of  Emanuel, 
— the  most  of  whom  united  with  the  Presby- 
terian church. 

From  this  period,  Mr.  Eagan  devoted  his 
attention  assiduously  to  a  preparation  for  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  and  in  a  comparatively 
short  time  was  regularly  in  the  itinerant  field. 
In  1824,  he  was  received  on  probation  by  the 
Ohio  Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  appointed  to  Brunswick 
Circuit.  While  on  this  circuit,  he  was  both 
acceptable  and  useful. 

The  second  year  of  his  ministerial  probation 
was  spent  on  Mansfield  Circuit,  where  he  gave 


186  REV.  JOAB  W.  RAGAN. 

unmistakable  indications  of  deep  interest,  and 
as  an  evidence  that  he  was  called  of  God  to  the 
work  in  which  he  was  engaged,  God  gave  him 
souls  as  seals  to  his  ministry. 

His  labors  were  so  abundant  during  these 
two  years,  that  his  health  partially  gave  wav, 
and  although  he  attended  the  succeeding  An- 
nual Conference,  and  was  ordained  Deacon  in 
the  church  of  God,  he  was  compelled  to  request 
a  brief  respite  from  active  toil  in  the  vineyard. 
His  request  being  granted,  he  retired  to  Woos- 
ter,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  two  years.  While 
here,  he  was  not  idle,  but  prosecuted  his  long- 
cherished  desire  of  obtaining  a  knowledge  of 
the  Hebrew  and  Greek  languages.  He  now 
bent  his  energies  to  this  work,  and  notwith- 
standing his  comparative  physical  inability,  he 
was  not  permitted  to  be  idle,  but  filled  the 
pulpit  regularly  on  Sabbath  days  during  his 
sojourn  in  Wooster.  At  the  expiration  of  two 
years'  residence  here,  his  health  being  some- 
what recruited,  he  resumed  his  standing  in  the 
traveling  connection,  was  ordained  Elder,  and 
appointed  to  Sandusky  Circuit.  We  take  the 
liberty  of  quoting  a  paragraph  from  a  letter 
written  by  one  who  knew  him  well  at  this 
period,  and  was  fully  advised  of  his  minis- 
terial status.     "His  labors  were  this  year  greatly 


LETTER.  187 

blessed  in  the  awakening  and  conversion  of 
sinners.  Never  was  a  young  man  more  be- 
loved ;  nor  do  we  think  it  extravagant  to  say, 
that  there  never  was  a  young  man  of  more 
ministerial  popularity  in  the  Sandusky  coun- 
try." 


188  REV.  JOAB  W.  RAGAN. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Reform  Movements — Appointed  to  Mad  River  Circuit — Letter  to  his 
Presiding  Elder — Preaching  in  the  vicinity  of  Pittsburgh — Received 
into  the  Ohio  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  and 
appointed  to  Louisville,  Kentucky — Marriage — Appointed  to  Zanes- 
ville,  Ohio — Appointed  to  Cambridge  Circuit — Popularity  of  his  Min- 
istry— Interesting  scenes  connected  with  his  last  illness — His  Death 
— Funeral — Conference  Resolutions — Remarks. 

AT  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  which  was 
held  in  Lancaster,  Ohio,  September,  1830,  the 
subject  of  ecclesiastical  reform  had  excited  con- 
siderable interest  among  the  members  of  that 
body.  Mr.  Ragan's  convictions  of  duty  led 
him  to  sympathize  with  the  reform  movement, 
and  he  was  not  unduly  reticent  in  regard  to  his 
honest  convictions.  As  a  result,  he  was  singled 
out  by  the  authorities  of  the  church  as  being  a 
disturber  of  the  peace  of  Zion. 

His  brother,  Rev.  Z.  Ragan,  who  had  retired 
from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  a  year 
previous,  and  had  united  with  the  new  organi- 
zation, made  it  convenient,  while  on  his  way 
from  Cincinnati  to  Pittsburgh  to  visit  the  Lan- 
caster Conference,  where  he  found  his  brother 


APPOINTED  TO  MAD  RIVER  CIRCUIT.       189 

Joab  in  trouble.  Various  frivolous  objections 
were  made  to  him  by  leading  members  of  the 
Conference.  He  was  objected  to  by  one  minis- 
ter on  account  of  his  apparel ;  he  was  too  much 
of  a  dandy,  he  dressed  too  fine.  Another  said 
that  he  was  becoming  too  popular,  and  must  be 
checked.  Applications  were  made  for  his  ser- 
vices from  Sandusky  City,  Chillicothe,  and  other 
popular  places ;  but  no !  the  authorities  of  the 
church  thought  it  best  to  send  him  as  an  assist- 
ant preacher  on  the  Mad  River  Circuit,  and  it 
was  so  ordained. 

He  went  to  the  circuit,  and  after  remaining 
about  two  months,  during  which  time  he  sur- 
veyed the  whole  ground,  and  in  view  of  his 
duty  to  man  and  his  responsibility  to  God,  he 
concluded  to  retire  from  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  and  identify  himself  v/ith  the  new 
enterprise.  He  accordingly  wrote  a  letter  to 
his  Presiding  Elder  announcing  his  determina- 
tion to  retire  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  become  a  member  and  minister  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Church.  That  the 
motives  and  spirit  by  which  he  was  actuated  in 
this  change  may  be  seen,  we  reproduce  his 
letter  written  to  his  Presiding  Elder.  It  was 
as  follows : 


190  REV.  JOAB  W.  RAGAN. 

Pittsburgh,  January  3,  1830, 

To  Rev.  John  F.  Wright,  P.  E. 

Dear  Brother — Finding  it  absolutely  out  of 
my  power  to  return  to  my  circuit  by  the  ap- 
pointed time,  and  now  having  come  to  the  final 
conclusion  to  discontinue  my  labors  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  it  becomes  neces- 
sary that  you  should  be  informed  of  my  inten- 
tions, in  order  that  my  place  may  be  supplied 
by  another. 

On  the  subject  of  reform  I  always  had  my 
own  views  and  feelings,  but  purposely  refrained 
from  being  active  on  either  side  of  the  great 
question  in  controversy.  I  have,  however, 
since  I  arrived  in  this  city,  seen  the  Constitu- 
tion formed  by  the  late  Convention  in  Balti- 
more. That  instrument  meets  my  entire  appro- 
bation. I  have  with  great  care  examined  its 
principles,  and  believe  them  to  be  founded  in 
truth  and  righteousness.  As  an  honest  man,  I 
feel  myself  bound  to  follow  the  clearest  convic- 
tions of  my  own  mind  on  this  subject,  and  of 
course  shall,  in  future,  give  what  talents  and 
influence  I  may  be  possessed  of,  to  build  up 
the  cause  of  God  in  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church.  I  do  not  consider  myself  pledged  to 
remain  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
until  the  next  Conference.     Indeed  I  could  not, 


LETTER  TO  HIS  PRESIDING  ELDER.         191 

unless  that  Conference  were  equally  pledged  to 
keep  far  away  every  circumstance  and  consid- 
eration which  might  make  it  necessary  for  me 
to  secede.  Besides,  there  is  no  specified  time 
when  it  would  be  more  proper  than  at  any 
other  for  a  person  to  leave  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  I  therefore  feel  myself  at  per- 
fect liberty  in  this  matter,  more  especially  as  it 
will  be  an  easy  matter  for  you  to  have  my 
place  supplied. 

To  give  my  entire  approbation  to  reform,  as 
presented  to  the  community  in  the  Constitution 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  and  still  to 
remain  in  the  old  ranks,  helping  to  build  up  a 
system  which  I  hold  to  be  illiberal  and  oppres- 
sive in  its  character,  and  thus,  too,  to  help  to 
crush  reform  in  every  possible  way  in  my 
power,  would  be  inconsistent  and  dishonorable, 
in  my  view  of  the  matter;  and  I  feel  bound  in 
conscience  not  to  do  so.  I  have  many  friends 
in  the  old  church,  whom  I  love  as  my  own 
soul.  I  have  no  antipathy  against  a  single 
individual  in  that  community.  In  seceding,  I 
am  to  be  contemplated  as  following  my  clearest 
views  of  truth  and  righteousness.  Very  affec- 
tionately your  brother  in  Christ, 

JOAB  W.  RAGAN. 


192  REV.  JOAB  W.  RAGAN". 

The  mind  of  Mr.  Ragan  appears  to  have  been 
very  mucli  agitated  at  the  Lancaster  Confer- 
ence. There  was  a  great  struggle  within  him 
between  dutTj  and  affection.  His  better  judg- 
ment led  him  to  sympathize  with  the  reform 
movement,  for  it  appeared  to  him  just  and 
right  that  the  laity  should  be  permitted  to 
'participate  in  the  councils  of  the  church.  On 
the  other  band,  he  loved  the  doctrines  and 
means  of  grace  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  under  the  influence  of  that  denom- 
ination he  had  been  religiously  educated,  and 
through  its  instrumentality  he  had  been  led  to 
the  Saviour.  He  had  also  commenced  his 
ministry  in  that  church,  and  its  ministry  he 
loved  while  he  ignored  its  exclusive  policy. 
He  had  also  many  seals  to  his  ministry  in  the 
old  church,  and  consequently  felt  endeared  to 
its  membership. 

It  seems  to  us  now,  at  this  distance  of  time, 
that  it  would  have  been  better  for  him,  with 
his  views  of  ecclesiastical  duty,  to  have  declined 
an  appointment  altogether  at  the  Lancaster 
Conference,  and  to  have  withdrawn  from  the 
church  at  that  time;  but,  as  intimated,  his 
clinging  affections  for  the  church  he  loved 
were  not  fully  prepared  to  yield  to  the  stern 
dictates  of  duty,  and  he  received  another  ap- 


LABORS  NEAR  PITTSBURGH.  193 

pointment.  Some  time  after  his  appointment 
to  Mad  Eiver  Circuit,  the  arguments  in  favor 
of  a  change  in  his  church  relations  became 
cumulative.  He  saw  the  Constitution  formed 
by  the  Convention  in  Baltimore.  It  "  met  his 
entire  approbation."  This  additional  consider- 
ation turned  the  scale,  and  he  went  with  the 
Keformers. 

From  the  evidence  before  us,  we  infer  that 
at  this  time  his  moral  and  ministerial  character 
stood  fair ;  his  position  in  the  church  when  he 
retired  from  it,  and  the  absence  of  counter  evi- 
dence on  the  part  of  Methodist  Episcopal 
authorities,  indicate  this.  After  retiring  from 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  connection,  he  went  to 
Pittsburgh,  where  his  brother,  Kev.  Z.  Kagan, 
was  associated  with  Kev.  G.  Brown  in  charge 
of  the  reformed  church,  and  united  with  the 
new  organization. 

During  the  remainder  of  this  year  he  spent 
the  time  in  preaching  the  gospel  in  Pittsburgh, 
Uniontown,  and  Connellsville,  with  great  zeal 
and  acceptability.  A  brother  who  was  familiar 
with  his  services  at  this  time,  thus  speaks  of 
him :  "  The  sermons  he  preached  in  the  places 
we  have  named  during  this  year  will  be  re- 
membered with  great  profit  by  the  present 
generation,    and   through   eternity.     Many   in 


194  REV.  JOAB  W.  RAGAN. 

those  places  will  rejoice  that  tliey  ever  saw  the 
face,  and  heard  the  melodious  voice,  of  Joab 
W.  Ragan." 

The  ensuing  Ohio  Annual  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church  was  held  in 
Zanesville,  Ohio,  in  the  fall  of  1831.  Mr. 
Ragan  united  with  this  Conference,  and  was 
appointed  to  Louisville,  Kentucky.  He  did 
not  regard  this  as  a  successful  year  in  his  min- 
istry. The  church  was  small  and  much  perse- 
cuted. He  may,  and  probably  did,  underrate 
his  success  in  Louisville,  as  one  report  made 
from  his  station  would  indicate.  In  the  report 
to  which  we  refer,  mention  is  made  of  the 
second  Quarterly  Meeting  of  the  station,  at 
which  Rev.  N.  Snethen  and  Rev.  Z.  Ragan 
were  present.  At  this  meeting  there  were  a 
"  number  of  accessions  to  the  church — a  glori- 
ous love  feast  on  Monday  night,  at  which  per- 
sons came  forward  and  united  with  the  new 
organization — growing  congregations,"  and  a 
note  is  made  of  a  union  prayer-meeting  in  the 
city  in  the  following  words :  "  We  have  in  this 
city  a  union  prayer-meeting,  in  which  the  Pres- 
byterians, the  Baptists,  and  the  Methodist 
Protestants  unite,  the  special  object  of  which  is 
to  pray  for  a  revival  of  religion  in  this  place. 
O,  that   God  may  answer  the  prayers  of  his 


SUCCESS  IN   ZANESVILLE.  195 

people,  and  that  Louisville  may  be  replenislied 
with  the  showers  of  grace  from  on  high !" 

Still,  as  we  have  said,  he  did  not  feel  satis- 
fied with  the  degree  of  success  enjoyed  this 
year.  He  was  so  accustomed  to  see  many  com- 
ing to  the  Saviour,  that  he  could  not  be  con- 
tented with  limited  achievements  in  the  Lord's 
vineyard. 

During  this  year  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  Stull,  an  amiable  young  lady  of  the  city 
of  Louisville,  who,  I  believe,  still  survives  him. 
At  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference,  in  the  fall  of 
1832,  he  was  appointed  to  Zanesville,  Ohio. 
This  appears  to  have  been  a  year  of  great  pros- 
perity, and  we  infer,  from  the  little  material  at 
command,  that  he  was  a  favorite  in  this  city. 
His  praise  was  in  all  the  churches,  and  by  his 
suavity  of  manner,  consistent  deportment,  affec- 
tionate instructions,  and  ministerial  ability,  he 
drew  many  hearts  to  him  ;  and  long  will  he 
live  in  the  memory  of  those  who  still  survive 
him,  who  were  favored  with  his  society  and  ser- 
vices at  the  period  of  which  we  write. 

The  reader  will  not  be  displeased  if  we  repro- 
duce a  portion  of  a  letter  written  by  him  while 
in  this  station.  It  is  dated  March  28,  1833, 
and  is  in  the  following  words  :  "We  have  re- 
ceived on  probation  and  certificate,  in  this  sta- 


196  KEV.  JOAB   W.  RAGAN. 

tion,  since  Conference,  twenty-eight  members, 
No  unusual  excitement  has  induced  them  to 
join,  but  we  have  good  evidence  that  they  have 
counted  the  cost,  and  have  united  with  the 
church  from  principle.  Our  first  Quarterly 
Meeting  was  held  under  unfavorable  circum- 
stances. The  weather  was  unpleasant,  and  we 
were,  through  sickness,  deprived  of  help.  But 
Brother  Thrap,  an  unstationed  minister,  and 
Mr.  Sedgwick,  of  the  Baptist  church,  aided  us ; 
and  on  the  whole,  we  had  a  good  meeting. 
Some  time  after  this,  we  held  a  protracted 
meeting,  at  which  we  were  favored  with  the  as- 
sistance of  Brothers  Thompson,  Marshall  and 
Flowers.  This  was  also  a  very  profitable  meet- 
ing. How  cheering  and  encouraging  it  is, 
when  a  minister  is  placed  alone  in  a  station,  or 
on  a  circuit,  to  have  the  aid  of  his  itinerant 
brethren  on  such  occasions ! 

"■  We  should  get  into  a  regular  habit  of  ex- 
changing services  at  all  our  popular  meetings. 
Our  second  Quarterly  Meeting  commenced  on 
the  16th  of  this  month.  Brothers  Brown,  Mar- 
shall, Dalby  and  Ross,  were  all  with  us, 
together  with  several  unstationed  ministers. 
The  weather  was  fine,  the  congregations  large, 
and  ministers  and  members  all  appeared  to  be 
in  the  Spirit  from  the  very  commencement  of 


REVIVAL  IN  ZANESVILLE.  197 

tlie  meeting;  but  on  Monday  evening  the  Lord 
favored  us  with  a  special  manifestation  of  his 
Divine  Spirit.  It  was  then  that  the  cloud  of 
mercy,  which  overshadowed  us  from  the  begin- 
ning, burst  in  blessings  on  the  congregation. 

"  A  goodly  number,  at  former  periods  of  the 
meeting,  had  repaired  to  the  altar  to  seek  re- 
ligion ;  but  now  not  only  the  altar,  but  the  seats 
around,  were  crowded  with  those  in  whom  the 
arrows  of  the  Lord  were  sticking  fast.  And 
thanks  to  the  Most  High,  they  came  not  to  the 
altar  in  vain ;  for  while  they  were  crying  for 
mercy,  and  the  brethren  were  uniting  in  prayer 
at  the  throne  of  grace  on  their  behalf,  sud- 
denly the  windows  of  heaven  seemed  to  be 
opened,  and  salvation  in  torrents  poured  upon 
us.  In  less  than  thirty  minutes,  there  were  ten 
or  twelve  who  professed  conversion  to  God.  A 
more  obvious  manifestation  of  Divine  power 
than  this,  I  know  not  that  I  ever  witnessed  in  all 
my  life.  The  work  was  by  no  means  confined  to 
those  who  had  approached  the  altar,  for  sin- 
ners were  weeping  all  through  the  congrega- 
tion. How  many  professed  religion  at  this 
meeting  I  cannot  say;  it  was  continued  for 
several  days,"  &c. 

The  thoughts,  sentiments,  and  expressions 
of  gratitude  and  praise,   preserved   upon  tha 


198  REV.  JOAB  W.  RAGAN. 

printed  page,  are  always  invested  with  new 
and  thrilling  interest.  In  tracing  the  lines,  we 
are  brought  into  closer  communion  with  the 
departed,  and  are  half  inclined  to  feel  that  we 
are  with  them  again.  Then  the  truth  rushes 
upon  the  mind  that  long  years  ago,  all  that  was 
mortal  of  these  loved  ones  has  been  laid  away 
in  their  graves,  while  their  spirits  rest  with 
God.  We  may  see  a  little  of  their  work,  but 
the  workmen  are  gone.  In  September,  1833, 
the  Ohio  Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  held  its  session  in  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  at  which  time  the  Conference  was 
divided,  and  the  Pittsburgh  Conference  set  off". 
Mr.  Ragan  became  a  member  of  the  last-named 
body,  and  was  appointed  to  Muskingum  Cir- 
cuit (now  Cambridge  Circuit).  He  being  a 
constant  and  laborious  student,  it  is  not  a 
matter  of  surprise  that  he  was  still  on  the 
ascending  scale  in  efficiency  and  usefulness. 

Large  assemblies  waited  on  his  ministry 
while  on  this  circuit,  and  if  we  may  draw  infer- 
ences with  any  degree  of  certainty  in  regard  to 
the  future,  from  past  and  present  facts,  we  think 
it  quite  probable  that  had  he  been  permitted  to 
reach  the  period  allotted  to  man  by  the  Psalm-" 
ist,  years  would  have  transpired  before  he 
would  have  attained  the  zenith  of  his  strength. 


A  SCENE  OF  MORAL  GRANDEUR.  199 

His  appointment  to  this  cliarge  proved  to  be 
his  last.  In  Guernsey  county,  Ohio,  there 
stands  a  beautiful  church,  built  many  years  ago, 
called  Ragan  Chapel^  in  honor  of  the  subject 
of  these  sketches.  A  verbal  picture  of  a  scene 
in  connection  with  his  ministry  on  this  circuit, 
communicated  to  the  writer  by  Col.  E.  Hos- 
kins,  may  be  here  written  and  preserved. 

Before  the  erection  of  Kagan  Chapel,  to 
which  we  have  referred,  a  building  in  the 
neighborhood  was  secured  for  the  purpose  of 
religious  worship.  Mr.  Kagan  had  an  appoint- 
ment at  this  place.  The  time  arrived.  The 
morning  was  somewhat  unfavorable.  A  large 
congregation  had  assembled,  too  large  for  the 
house,  so  that  it  was  necessary  for  very  many 
to  stand  in  front  of  the  building. 

Here,  then,  we  have  a  picture  of  the  scene, 
the  house  crowded  within,  and  nearly  as  many 
without,  and  the  preacher  standing  in  the 
doorway.  The  services  are  about  to  commence. 
See  there !  in  the  distance  a  messenger  comes, 
bearing  the  intelligence  to  the  preacher  that  a 
member  of  his  family  is  dangerously  ill.  But 
the  people  have  come  from  afar  and  near,  and 
he  is  sent  to  deliver  to  them  the  message  of 
salvation.  So  with  this  two-fold  weight  upon 
his  heart,  affliction,  perhaps  death,  at  home,  and 


200  KEV.  JOAli  W.  RAGAN. 

the  worth  of  souls  for  whom  Christ  died  pres- 
sing upon  hira,  he  stood  in  the  passage-way  of 
that  old  building,  and  commenced  his  message 
to  the  listening  throng.  According  to  my  best 
recollection,  his  theme  was  The  Judgment  Day. 
Soon  after  the  commencement  of  the  sermon, 
it  began  to  rain,  and  finally  rained^  heavily ; 
but  such  was  the  interest  awakened  by  the 
thrilling  utterances  of  the  preacher,  that  the 
people  appeared  almost  unconscious  of  the  pre- 
sence of  the  watery  element.  There  they  stood, 
closely  packed  together,  like  statues  fixed  to 
the  earth,  while  the  preacher,  with  a  voice  of 
unusual  melody,  compass  and  power,  quickened 
into  a  higher  life  by  the  inspiration  of  his 
theme,  drew  with  a  master  hand  those  scenes 
of  terrible,  and  yet  glorious  interest,  which 
will  transpire  in  the  future.  All  hearts  were 
in  sympathy  with  the  theme,  and  felt  more 
fully  than  ever  the  sacred  sublimity  of  truth  as 
it  came  from  the  lips  of  this  Christian  preacher. 
There  they  stood,  listening  to  the  evangelical 
utterances  of  the  comparatively  youthful  divine, 
so  soon  to  go  into  his  chamber  to  die,  whose 
wrapt  spirit,  losing  sight  of  all  earthly  things, 
soared  away  into  the  dim  distance,  removing 
the  veil  that  hides  things  future  from  the  sight, 
his  spirit  leaping  from  scene  to  scene,  as  they  in 


LAST  ILLNESS.  201 

grand  succession  rise,  so  that  few,  if  any,  in 
that  congregation,  but  desired  to  be  found  with 
the  redeemed  in  the  great  day  of  the  Lord.  My 
informant,  Mr.  Hoskins,  a  distinguished  layman 
in  the  church,  who,  I  believe,  still  lives,  to 
encourage  the  church  by  his  presence,  informed 
me  that  he  "  never  would  forget  the  thrilling 
scenes  of  that  Sabbath  clay."  This  was  one  of 
the  last  sermons  of  Mr.  Eagan.  He  labored 
successfully  on  this  circuit  until  within  about 
four  weeks  of  the  fitting  of  the  ensuing  Annual 
Conference.  His  last  sickness  began  with  an 
attack  of  bilious  fever,  which  finally  assumed 
the  typhoid  type.  He  was  an  example  of 
patience  during  his  illness,  and  owing  to  the 
nature  of  his  disease,  he  was  occasionally  de- 
ranged, and  during  the  distressing  seasons  of 
mental  aberration,  his  theme  was  Christian  per- 
fection, and  it  was  highly  instructive  to  listen 
to  his  illustrations  of  scripture  during  these 
mental  wanderings.  One  instance  we  mention. 
He  imagined  he  had  an  appointment  to  preach, 
and  the  congrreo^ation  had  assembled.  He  read 
the  following  passage  as  a  text,  "  This  is  the 
way,  walk  ye  in  it,"  and  it  is  said  by  one  who 
was  with  him,  that  "  never,  in  his  brightest  days, 
could  he  have  given  a  clearer  view  of  the  path 
of  life  than  he  did  on  that  occasion.     An  enthu- 


202  REV.  JOAB  W.  RAG  AN. 

siast  would  have  believed  him  to  be  under  the 
influence  of  direct  and  personal  inspiration." 

A  few  moments  before  his  death,  with  perfect 
tranquillity  of  soul,  he  turned  his  attention  to 
his  heart-stricken  brother,  Rev.  Z.  Ragan,  and 
thus  addressed  him :  "  Zachariah,  I  have  hon- 
estly preached  the  Gospel  of  Christ  to  sinners 
for  a  number  of  years.  I  have  often  prayed 
for  the  extension  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  but 
now  my  labors  are  ended.  I  have,  however,  one 
prayer  which  I  desire  to  offer,  and  in  which  I 
wish  you  to  join  me.  Then  clasping  his  emaci- 
ated hands  together,  and  lifting  his  bright  blue 
eyes  towards  heaven,  he  said  in  a  distinct 
voice,  "  Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit,  and 
may  I  dwell  for  ever  in  the  ocean  of  unfathoma- 
ble love."  In  a  few  moments  after  the  utter- 
ance of  these  memorable  words,  the  redeemed 
and  regenerated  spirit  of  Joab  W.  Ragan  passed 
away  to  mingle  with  eternal  scenes. 

H^  terminated  his  career  on  earth  in  Cam- 
bridge, Guernsey  county,  Ohio,  on  the  third  day 
of  October,  1834,  his  age  being  thirty-two  years, 
seven  months  and  eighteen  days.  Some  time 
previous  to  his  death,  he  had  requested  his 
brother  Zachariah  to  preach  a  funeral  discourse 
on  the  day  of  his  burial ;  so  on  the  day  suc- 
ceeding his  death,  his  remains  were  borne  to 


FUNERAL  OBSEQUIES.  203 

the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  from  his  late 
residence,  and  placed  in  front  of  the  pulpit. 

A  large  concourse  of  all  classes  attended  the 
funeral  obsequies.  It  was  a  time  of  general  and 
deep  sorrow  in  the  village,  for  one  of  its  bright- 
est ornaments  and  most  exemplary  citizens  had 
been  taken  away.  In  accordance  with  the  request 
of  the  deceased,  his  brother  delivered  a  funeral 
discourse  founded  upon  the  following  passage  : 
"  Jesus  wept." — St.  John  xi.  35.  We  are  not 
surprised  at  the  selection  of  the  preacher  on 
this  afflictive  occasion,  for  these  brothers  loved 
each  other  with  all  the  intensity  of  true  bro- 
therly aftection.  The  remains  of  the  deceased 
minister  were  conveyed  to  the  village  cemetery, 
there  to  rest  for  a  little  season. 

I  am  reminded  that  subsequently  the  sainted 
Rowcliffe  fell  upon  the  same  battle-field,  and 
his  remains  repose  near  those  of  the  incom- 
parable Ragan. 

The  Pittsburgh  Annual  Conference,  at  its 
next  session,  passed  the  following  resolution : 

^'Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Brother 
Joab  W.  Pagan,  the  church  has  lost  one  of  her 
most  efficient  and  able  ministers,  and  this  Con- 
ference one  of  its  brightest  ornaments.'' 

Thus  passed  away  from  the  scenes  of  earthly 
toil  and  conflict  a  valuable  minister  of  the  Lord 


20-i  REV.  JOAB  W.  RAGAN. 

Jesus  Christ,  to  intermingle  with  the  redeemed 
on  the  other  side  of  the  mystic  river.  And  as 
we  stand  upon  the  bank  of  the  stream,  and  look 
intently,  as  though  we  would  follow  the  freed 
spirit  to  its  Paradise  home  upon  the  other 
shore,  let  us  pause  and  reflect  upon  the  great 
interests  involved  in  a  judicious  improvement 
of  the  time  allotted  us  on  earth.  The  number 
of  our  days  we  may  not  know,  and  this  consid- 
eration should  give  an  impetus  to  action,  and 
lead  us  to  improve  the  present  time,  as  we 
know  not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth. 

A  prominent  subject  of  regret  manifested  by 
Christians  generally,  especially  in  the  closing 
hours  of  life,  is  the  mis-improvement  of  de- 
parted years.  When  the  soul  is  brought  to  a 
knowledge  of  pardoned  sin,  and  with  a  quick- 
ened spirit  sees  the  true  relation  it  sustains  to 
its  Maker,  the  terrible  sin  of  procrastination  is 
seen  in  all  its  deformity,  and  the  redeemed  soul 
is  surprised  that  the  pardoning  grace  of  God 
was  ever  bestowed.  The  newly  converted  soul 
is  able  to  see  the  peril  of  its  previous  state,  in  a 
light  in  which  it  was  never  seen  before.  A 
case  of  recent  occurrence,  illustrative  of  the 
foregoing  remarks,  came  under  the  writer's 
observation. 

A  man  of  considerable  wealth  and  fine  per- 


REFLECTIONS.  205 

sonal  presence,  wlio  exerted  a  commanding 
influence  in  the  community  in  which  he  lived, 
was  finally  brought  to  see  the  danger  of  living 
without  an  interest  in  the  Redeemer. 

His  life  was,  in  the  general,  irreproachable, 
and  his  probity  as  a  man  not  disputed  by  any. 
Fifty  years  of  his  earthly  probation  had  passed 
away  without  a  saving  interest  in  the  blood  of 
Jesus.  Finally,  after  repeated  questionings  to 
learn  the  truth,  his  great  soul  struggling 
between  a  desire  to  go  to  the  Redeemer,  and  a 
tendency  to  unbelief,  strengthened  by  years,  he 
listened  to  the  voice  of  the  good  angel,  and 
came,  with  the  meekness  of  a  little  child,  to  the 
mercy -seat.  That  great  soul  was  stirred  to  its 
utmost  depths,  and  the  follies  of  the  past  came 
rushing  up  from  the  storehouse  of  memory,  the 
remembrance  of  which  was  almost  unendurable. 

This  man  of  fifty  years  felt  as  he  had  never 
felt  before,  and  the  remembrance  of  a  neglected 
Saviour  for  so  many  years  drove  him  almost  to 
the  verge  of  distraction.  His  piteous  lamenta- 
tions were  sufficient  to  move  the  most  obdurate 
heart ;  but  the  Saviour,  who  is  ever  ready  to 
hear  the  prayer  of  the  truly  penitent,  came  to 
his  relief. 

Such  instances  show  not  only  the  folly  of 
procrastination,  but  the  great  sin  and  danger  of 


206  REV.  JOAB  W.  RAGAN. 

neoflectino:  the  soul's  hiorhest  interests.  And 
when  God,  in  the  fullness  of  his  grace  and 
mercy,  has  heard  the  prayer,  and  come  to  the 
relief  of  the  one  who  has  long  withstood  his 
grace,  how  important  that  that  one  should 
redeem  the  time,  and  work  in  the  vineyard  to 
the  close  of  the  day.  The  subject  of  the  preced- 
ing pages  was  favored  with  only  a  few  years 
on  earth,  but  the  years  of  his  religious  life  were 
replete  with  activity  and  toil,  and  while  looking 
forward  to  the  zenith  of  life,  which  was  yet  in 
the  distance,  the  Master  called  him,  and  he 
went  out  and  away  to  be  ever  with  the  Lord. 
In  connection  with  a  remembrance  of  the  early 
death  of  this  beloved  minister,  we  see  an  appro- 
priateness in  the  following  beautiful  lines  in 
our  own  church  collection : 


"  Far  from  affliction,  toil  and  care, 
The  happy  soul  is  fled  ; 
The  breathless  clay  shall  slumber 
Among  the  silent  dead. 

The  gospel  was  his  joy  and  song,     . 

E'en  to  his  latest  breath; 
The  truth  he  had  on  earth  proclaimed 

Was  his  support  in  death. 

*'  Now  he  resides  where  Jesus  is, 
Above  this  dusky  sphere  ; 
His  soul  was  ripened  for  that  bliss 
While  yet  it  sojourned  here. 


CONCLUSION".  207 


*'  The  church's  loss  we  all  deplore, 
And  shed  the  falling  tear, 
Since  we  shall  see  his  face  no  more, 
Till  Jesus  shall  appear. 

•'  But  we  are  hastening  to  the  tomb, 
0,  may  we  ready  stand  ! 
Then,  blessed  Lord,  receive  us  home, 
■To  dwell  at  thy  right  hand." 


A  BRIEF  BIOGRAPHY 


OF  THE 


Rev.  WILLIAM  LYNN  DUNLAP, 

LATE  A  MINISTER  OF  THE  METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 

By    C.    caddy. 

MINISTER  OP  THE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


"  I*-*  no  man  despise  thy  youth ;  but  be  thou  an  example  of  the  be- 
lieveiij,  in  word,  in  conversation,  in  charity,  in  spirit,  in  faith,  in 
purity. — I  Timothy  iv.  12. 


13  ^206) 


BIOGRAPHY 

OF    THE 

EEV.  WILLIAM  LYNN  DUNLAP. 


^  CHAPTER  I. 

Preliminary  Observations — Eai'ly  Life  of  Mr.  Dunlap — Character  of 
his  Mother — Kemoval  to  the  West — Death  of  his  Father — Return  of 
his  Mother — Death  of  his  Mother — Learns  the  Millwright  trade  with 
Mr.  James  Barnes — Amiable  Character  of  Mr.  Dunlap — Manifested  a 
talent  for  Preaching  when  a  Boy. 

EYERY  individual  who  appears  upon  the 
stage  of  life,  and  is  permitted  by  Provi- 
dence to  reach  the  years  of  maturity,  is  instru- 
mental in  making  an  impression,  to  a  greater 
or  less  extent,  upon  the  age  in  which  he  lives. 

The  impression  made  may  be  favorable  or 
unfavorable ;  and  the  far-reaching  effects  of 
human  conduct,  whether  good  or  bad,  we  may 
not  know  in  the  present  world.  There  is  a 
depth  in  this  thought  that  we  cannot  fathom, 
and  we  might  reasonably  suppose  that  a  few 
moments'  reflection  upon  it  would  deter  the 
sober  thinker  from  moving  another  step  in  the 
wrong  direction. 

(211) 


212  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

"Words  and  actions  are  prolific  in  their 
eftects.  A  single  word  may  be  the  germ  of 
untold  miseries.  It  may  go  out  upon  its  death- 
like mission,  spreading  and  extending  as  it 
goes  from  mind  to  mind,  accumulating  to  itself 
influence  and  power;  and  who  will  pretend  to 
estimate  the  fearful  aggregate !  Time  cannot — 
eternity  will.  It  is  a  truism,  that  "  Evil  com- 
munications corrupt  good  manners."  Here  we 
see  the  heginning^  but  we  cannot  see  the  end. 

The  counterpart,  on  the  other  hand,  is  one 
of  the  most  interesting  •subjects  within  the 
range  of  human  inquiry.  Who  can  estimate 
the  ultimate  result  of  Christian  example  ?  The 
influence  of  a  ivord,  in  this  connection,  may 
result  in  blessings  to  our  race,  that  eternity 
alone  will.be  able  to  unfold.  Solomon  has 
said,  "  That  a  word  fitly  spoken  is  like  apples 
(oranges)  of  gold,  in  pictures  of  silver."  This 
language  is  highly  poetical,  it  is  true,  and  it  is 
also  true  that  it  illustrates  a  beautiful  truth 
through  the  medium  of  exquisitely  beautiful 
and  finely-wrought  imagery. 

If  we  admit  the  substitution  of  the  fruit 
named  within  the  parentheses  in  the  above 
passage,  as  some  of  our  commentators  suppose 
to  be  the  fruit  intended,  we  will  see  the  appro- 
priateness  of  the   first   figure  employed,    and 


PRELIMINARY  OBSERVATIONS.  213 

then  we  may  easily  imagine  an  Asiatic  page 
with  dignity  and  grace  bearing  a  filigree  bas- 
ket of  open-work,  wrought  into  figures  and 
pictures  of  silver,  laden  with  golden  fruit,  and 
presented  to  a  smiling  group  of  invited  guests. 

Golden  fruit  in  a  silver  basket — how  beauti- 
ful and  appropriate  the  association,  and  how 
beautiful  is  the  voice  of  love  falling  upon  the 
ear,  and  thrilling  the  heart  of  the  way-side 
hearer !  "  Pictures  of  silver  " — the  golden  fruit 
forminor  the  back-ojround  and  revealinof  its 
beauty  through  the  silver  net- work,  reminding 
us  of  the  soft  and  gentle  power  of  affection,  and 
the  heart-voice  distilling  words  of  blended 
beauty  and  love.     Let  us  give  an  example. 

At  one  of  the  old  and  well-established 
churches  in  the  city  of  New  York,  a  daily 
prayer-meeting  was  held.  Every  day,  at  a 
certain  hour,  many  were  seen  wending  their 
way  to  that  old,  antiquated  building.  The 
voice  of  prayer  and  Christian  experience  which 
resounded  around  those  old  walls  relieved 
many  a  troubled  spirit,  and  cheered  mar^y  dis- 
consolate hearts.  Among  the  daily  worshipers 
was  an  elderly  lady,  somewhat  bent  with  age, 
but  with  a  serene  countenance,  while  the  light 
and  beauty  of  her  earlier  years  would  occasion- 
ally gle  im  through  the  withered  features  of  her 


214  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

classic  face.  She  had  a  voice  of  silvery  sweet- 
ness, rich  and  mellow,  for  it  was  simply  an 
outward  expression  of  an  inward  baptism.  She 
was  standing  one  morning,  for  a  moment,  upon 
the  steps  of  the  church,  and  as  she  stood  there, 
a  young  man  was  walking  leisurely  by.  She 
addressed  him.  "Young  man,  come  in;  this 
is  a  meeting  for  prayer."  He  instinctively 
turned,  he  scarcely  knew  why,  and  went  into 
the  church. 

An  ordinary  invitation  would  not,  perhaps, 
have  had  the  same  effect,  but  this  invitation 
has  the  appearance  of  something  extraordinary ; 
true,  the  words  are  simple,  but  there  is  a  strange 
power  in  them,  a  mystic  eloquence  "  that  I  do 
not  understand.  This  simple  utterance  has 
controlled  me,  and  I  am  here." 

The  meeting  begins,  and  grows  in  interest, 
and  the  attention  of  this  new  listener  is  arrested, 
as  one  and  another  leads  the  devotions  of  that 
multitude,  and  an  occasional  experience  is 
related,  revealing  the  power  and  glory  of  the 
Srospel.  We  have  said  that  the  attention  of 
this  young  man  was  arrested,  and  attention 
soon  assumed  the  form  of  deep  interest. 

The  arrows  of  the  Lord  were  darting  through 
that  assembly,  and  this  young  man  was  brought 
under  a  deep  concern  for  the  salvation   of  his 


PRELIMINARY  OBSERVATIONS.  215 

soul,  for  one  of  tlie  arrows,  in  its  circuitous 
course,  had  found  way  to  his  heart.  He  is 
wounded,  and  lies  crushed  and  bruised  in 
spirit.  He  must  receive  the  salvation  of  God 
or  perish.  God  is  near.  Jesus  stands  waiting 
to  pour  the  healing  balm  into  his  broken  spirit, 
and  0,  what  a  revolution  is  wrought  in  that 
soul,  as  he  retires,  with  unwilling  feet,  from  the 
consecrated  place  of  prayer ! 

Who  is  this  stranger  ?  He  is  a  young  man 
whose  home  is  in  the  distant  East,  hundreds  of 
miles  away,  and  he  could  not  rest  contented 
until  he  had  sent  a  letter  to  his  friends,  telling 
them  what  the  Lord  had  done  for  his  soul. 
And  as  soon  as  practicable,  he  returned  in 
person,  with  a  soul  full  of  the  love  of  Jesus, 
visiting  his  friends  and  neighbors,  and  relating 
the  story  of  the  cross.  The  neighborhood  in 
which  he  lived  was  proverbial  for  its  formality 
and  irreligion ;  but  the  flaming  torch  recently 
kindled  at  the  altar  of  grace  gave  an  impetus 
to  all  hearts,  and  the  arrows  of  God  from  the 
Gospel  quiver  were  shot  in  every  direction,  so 
that  the  slain  of  the  Lord  were  many.  ''.Dark- 
ness may  continue  for  a  night,  but  joy  cometh 
in  the  morning." 

Soon  the  dark  clouds  give  place  to  the 
brightness  of  the  Saviour's  coming,  and  show- 


216  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

ers  of  salvation  descend,  and — see !  the  crystal 
current  running  and  rippling,  hither  and 
thither,  \jntil  the  precious  baptism  has  done  its 
heavenly  work  upon  many  souls  all  around  the 
consecrated  ground.  "Apples  of  gold  in  bas- 
kets of  silver !"  Rich  in  contrast,  rich  in  mate- 
rial, rich  in  beauty,  but  0 !  richer  by  far  are 
the  bright  scintillations  of  the  Divine  glory, 
blended  vi^ith  the  Spirit's  blessing,  and  coming 
to  the  bleeding  heart  of  the  poor  sinner,  chang- 
ing it  from  "nature  to  grace,  and  from  the 
power  of  Satan  unto  God;"  and  this  grand 
result,  instrumentally  effected  by  a  "  word  fitly 
spoken." 

We  may  here  observe  that  a  two-fold  influ- 
ence is  exerted  by  man  upon  his  fellows.  The 
first  is  the  result  of  precept,  and  conscious 
example.     This  we  all  understand. 

There  is  also  an  impression  made  by  us  upon 
society,  which  may  be  called  unconscious  influ 
ence:  an  influence  exerted  by  us,  of  which  we 
may  be  unaware,  but  resulting,  more  or  less 
from  personal  character. 

"We  have  a  beautiful   illustration  of  uncon- 
scious influence  recorded  in  the  twentieth  chap 
ter  of  John's  Gospel.     When  Simon  Peter,  and 
that  other  disciple   whom  Jesus  loved,    heard 
the  intelligence  communicated  to  them  by  Mary 


PRELIMINAKY  OBSERVATIONS.  217 

Magdalene,  in  reference  to  the  absence  of  tlie 
body  of  our  Lord  from  the  sepulcher,  they 
"  ran  both  together :  and  the  other  disciple 
did  outrun  Peter,  and  came  first  to  the  sepul- 
cher ;  and  he,  stooping  down  and  looking 
in,  saw  the  linen  clothes  lying,  yet  went  he 
not  in."  Simon  Peter  came  last,  "and  went 
into  the  sepulcher."  Then,  went  in  also  that 
that  other  disciple  which  came  first  to  the 
sepulcher,  and  he  saw  and  believed." 

When  Peter  came  up  and  saw  his  doubting 
brother  looking  into  the  sepulchre,  and  went 
straight  in  himself  after  his  peculiar  manner,  he 
little  thought  that  he  was  drawing  in  his 
brother  apostle.  And  when  the  unbelief  of 
John  began  to  give  way,  and  he  went  into  the 
sepulcher  after  Peter,  he  little  thought  that  he 
was  attracted  by  his  brother's  example. 

One  leads,  the  other  follows,  both  unconscious 
of  any  influence  exerted  or  received.  By  a  law 
of  social  contagion,  our  life  and  conduct  are 
ever  propagating  themselves  throughout  the 
society  and  age  in  which  we  live.  The  expres- 
sion of  the  eye,  an  indulgence  in  amusements 
of  doubtful  propriety,  a  five  minutes  delay  at  a 
place  of  trade,  a  word  incidentally  spoken  in 
the  midst  of  a  promiscuous  company, — all  have 


218  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

their  influence,  and  make  an  impression  upon 
society,  either  good  or  bad. 

We  cannot  live  on  earth  without  exerting  an 
influence,  either  for  or  against  virtue.  Then, 
that  our  example  may  be  favorable,  let  the  root 
of  christian  virtue  grow  in  our  hearts.  Let  us 
be  Christians  in  the  true  sense  of  the  v/ord — 
"  Christ  in  you  the  hope  of  glory."  Then,  all 
our  conscious  activities,  and  the  silent  power  of 
unconscious  example  will  be  in  harmony  with 
heaven's  law,  and  instrumental  in  the  promotion 
of  those  principles  on  which  true  happiness 
depends. 

We  cannot  claim  for  any  one  a  faultless  cha- 
racter. In  this  world  of  sin,  the  christian  life 
is  a  constant  warfare;  we  must  fight  if  we 
would  win  the  prize.  Though  we  cannot 
claim  perfection  for  any  one  here,  it  is  true,  at 
the  same  time,  that  some  approach  the  divine 
model  more  nearly  than  others.  We  are  per- 
mitted occasionally  to  enjoy  the  society  of  a 
spiritual  gem,  in  whose  presence  we  cannot 
long  remain  without  feeling  a  desire  to  be 
purer  and  holier;  and  these  examples  might 
be  multiplied  if  christians  would  only  strive  to 
reach  the  altitude  of  christian  perfection  so 
clearly  indicated  in  the  sacred  volume:  then 
the   cumulative   power   of    christian   influence 


PRELIMINARY  OBSERVATIONS.  219 

would  be  too  great  for  the  povv'ers  of  darkness, 
and  the  achievements  of  the  cross  would  be  a 
subject  of  great  rejoicing  to  christians  on  earth, 
and  ansjels  in  heaven. 

There  is  no  lack  of  external  appliances  in 
these  latter  days.  We  have  model  churches  in 
city  and  viUage,  and  in  nearly  all  our  rural 
districts,  that  will  reach  the  ideal  of  the  most 
fastidious.  We  have  model  ministers  of  liter- 
ary jfinish  and  elocutionary  power  all  over  the 
land.  We  have  wealth  and  wisdom  in  connec- 
tion with  our  temples  of  religion. 

We  have  Sabbath  schools  critically  drilled, 
and  perhaps  more  efficient  in  substantial  bibli- 
cal lore  than  ever  before  in  the  history  of  the 
American  church.  And  yet,  with  all  these 
appliances,  the  power  of  the  church  against  the 
prevalent  evils  of  our  land  is  not  as  great  as 
God  has  a  right  to  expect,  and  we  on  earth 
profess  to  desire. 

It  is  true,  that  the  present  year  (1868)  appears 
to  be  a  season  of  great  awakening  among  the  un- 
converted; and  may  we  not  hope  that  this  is  the 
harbinger  of  a  great  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  upon 
the  nation  ?  Let  us  live  for  it, — then,  we  may 
exjject  it.  The  editor  of  the  Methodist  Bjecorder, 
in  a  recent  editorial,  after  telling  us  that  the 
principal  need  of  the  church  is  greater  spiritu- 


220  REV.  W.  L.  DUXLAP. 

ality,  a  fuller  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost, — 
proceeds  to  say,  that  "  this  is  the  great  want 
of  the  church.  It  has  become  proud  and 
formal,  cold  and  lifeless.  We  have  fine 
churches,  fine  choirs,  and  eloquent  sermons. 
We  have  the  body,  but  the  spirit  is  wanting. 

"  Many  of  the  churches  are  filled  with  dry 
bones — very  dry — and  nothing  but  the  breath 
of  the  spirit  can  make  them  live  and  stand  up 
a  mighty  army  for  God.  While  we  should 
labor  zealously  in  every  department  of  church 
enterprise,  we  should  remember,  after  all,  that 
nothing  '  but  power  from  on  high '  can  crown 
our  labors  with  success. 

"Let  us  not  forget  that  'to  be  carnally 
minded  is  death ;  but  to  be  spiritually  minded 
is  life  and  peace.'  We  may  be  thus  spiritually 
minded,  for  we  are  assured  that  our  '  heavenly 
Father  will  give  the  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that 
ask  Him.'  This  may  seem  a  dark  picture ;  but 
when  we  reflect  upon  the  numerous  agencies 
now  in  the  field,  contending  for  the  truth,  more 
numerous,  perhaps,  than  ever  before,  and  then, 
when  we  see  the  limited  aggressions  made  upon 
the  hosts  of  the  enemy,  we  will  not  be  inclined 
to  think  the  picture  overdrawn. 

Still,  we  have  reason  just  now  to  be  some- 
what encouraged,  as  intimated  on  a  previous 


PRELIMINARY  OBSERVATIONS.  221 

page.  Let  the  christian  agencies  now  in  the 
field,  be  awake,  and  keep  awake,  and  let  the 
number  be  multiplied,  and  the  church  of  Christ 
luill  prosper.  We  have  had  examples — bright 
examples  of  christian  purity  and  power  in  the 
past,  and  also  in  the  present,  and  among  these 
examples  we  propose  to  hold  up  one,  who,  if 
not  faultless,  approached  as  near  the  divine 
model,  perhaps,  as  any  we  might  select. 

William  L.  Dunlap  was  the  first  born  of 
Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Dunlap,  and  first  saw  the 
light  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  near  the 
far-famed  Bedstone  waters.  May  6,  1813. 

Here  the  childhood  days  of  William  were 
passed,  and  as  we  know  but  little  in  connection 
with  his  incipient  life,  we  will,  of  course,  say 
but  little.  We  are  assured,  however,  by  one 
who  knew,  that  his  mother  was  a  woman  of 
very  exemplary  character,  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  and  ardently  devoted  to 
the  interests  of  religion. 

She  is  spoken  of  as  a  woman  of  marked 
amiability.  This  distinguishing  characteristic 
shone  out  with  more  than  ordinary  luster,  so 
that  she  was  an  object  of  admiration  by  all  who 
knew  her.  She  was  a  true  and  faithful  friend, 
and  loved  truth  for  its  own  sake.  She  was  a 
christian,  because  she  felt  it  a  duty  to  be  one ; 


222  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

her  religion,  therefore,  was  not  a  religion  of 
impulse,  but  of  principle.  Under  the  early 
instruction  of  such  a  mother,  we  may  well 
imagine  that  in  reason's  early  dawn,  the  mind 
of  William  was  directed  to  the  Father  and 
fountain  of  true  happiness,  and  that  he  learned 
early  to  trust  in  the  Redeemer  and  Saviour  of 
men.  The  family  ultimately  removed  to  the 
West,  and  settled  near  the  Miami  river,  but  in 
what  particular  locality  we  are  not  advised. 

Some  time  after  this  removal,  the  sensitive 
spirit  of  young  William  was  called  to  endure  a 
severe  trial.  His  father  was  stricken  down 
by  disease,  and  died.  We  may  not  know  the 
great  thoughts  that  pervaded  the  impressible 
spirit  of  William,  as  he  looked  upon  the  pale 
form  of  his  beloved  parent,  arrayed  in  the  gar- 
ments of  the  grave.  A  death-scene  within  the 
sacred  precincts  of  the  family  band,  lingers  in 
the  memory  of  the  incipient  mind  for  long 
years  to  come.  There  is  a  painful  interest  in 
the  remembrance  of  the  pale  face  of  the  dead  ; 
the  calm  features,  the  shroud  and  coffin,  the 
opened  grave,  all  remain  with  vivid  distinctness 
in  the  mind  of  the  heart-stricken  bereaved. 
The  death  of  Joseph  Dunlap,  the  stay  and  staff 
of  the  household,  left  a  void  in  the  family  that 
rendered  all  hearts  sad.     Mrs.  Dunlap  was  left 


EARLY  LIFE.  223 

in  a  state  of  widowliood  with  three  children, 
William,  James  and  Jane.  She  returned  to 
her  old  home  in  Pennsylvania,  where  she  lived 
,a  number  of  years,  doing  all  in  her  power  for 
the  welfare  of  her  rising  family.  It  was  not 
her  destiny,  however,  to  remain  long  upon 
the  earth  to  enjoy  the  society  of  her  children, 
dren,  whom  she  tenderly  loved. 

It  was  soon  apparent  that  fatal  disease  had 
commenced  its  work.  The  wan  and  transpa- 
rent face,  bright  and  earnest  eye,  and  nervous 
susceptibility,  gave  unmistakable  evidence  that 
death  would  soon  release  her  from  the  toils  and 
sorrows  of  life.  And  so  it  was.  She  died  of 
pulmonary  disease,  leaving  behind  her  the  tes- 
timony of  a  Christian  example  that  she  had 
gone  to  be  with  the  Eedeemer.  Her  children 
were  left  behind  to  battle  alone  with  the  stern 
realities  of  life. 

These  children  had,  comparatively  recently, 
stood  by  the  grave  of  a  departed  father,  aad 
now  the  form  of  a  sainted  mother,  lifeless  and 
cold*,  lies  before  them,  and  each  soul,  sad  and 
lonely,  feels  as  though  cut  loose  from  its  moor- 
ings, to  float  out  upon  the  sea  of  life  to  battle 
with  its  tempests,  unheeded  by  the  busy  world. 

When  William  arrived  at  a  suitable  age  to 
choose  a  profession  for  himself,  he  concluded  to 


22-i  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

learn  the  mill-wrigbt  trade,  this  being  the 
employment  of  his  father  for  many  years.  In 
the  spring  of  1829,  being  then  about  sixteen 
years  old,  he  went  to  Carmichaels,  Green 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  placed  himself 
under  the  instructions  of  Mr.  James  Barnes. 

Here  he  remained  five  years,  and  became  so 
much  attached  to  this  family,  that,  in  after 
years,  to  the  end  of  his  life,  he  called  it  his 
home.  We  have  the  testimony  of  Mr.  Barnes 
when  we  say  that  during  his  five  years'  service 
his  deportment  as  a  youth  was  almost  unpar- 
alleled for  stability  and  moral  rectitude.  Yery 
few  members  in  the  church,  at  his  years,  exhib- 
ited as  unblemished  a  life  as  he  did,  even 
before  he  made  a  profession  of  religion.  The 
following  quotation  is  from  a  letter  written  by 
Mr.  Barnes : 

"  The  five  years  spent  with  me  in  learning 
nis  trade,  were  passed  without  the  necessity  of 
a  reproof  for  any  improper  conduct,  under  any 
circumstance  whatever.  He  was  a  very  atten- 
tive reader,  and  while  others  of  his  years  were 
spending  their  time  in  play  and  sin,  he  occupied 
his  time  in  storing  his  mind  with  useful 
knowledge.  In  addition,  I  may  remark  that 
he  had  the  gratification  of  always  leaving  a 
place  where  he  had  been  employed  for  a  length 


HIS  CONVERSION.  225 

of  time,  witli  the  good  feelings  of  all  with 
whom  he  became  acquainted;  being  beloved 
by  all  classes  of  persons  with  whom  he  inter- 
mingled, and  was  always  inquired  after  with 
much  solicitude."  This  testimony  speaks  vol- 
umes in  favor  of  moral  rectitude  in  connection 
with  the  subject  of  this  narrative. 

He  displayed  a  talent  for  preaching  when  a 
boy,  and  often,  in  a  chaste  manner,  would  exer- 
cise in  that  way,  very  much  to  the  amusement 
of  his  hearers,  but  always  within  the  bounds  of 
propriety.  He  would  sometimes  preach  the 
funeral  of  animals,  and  though  this  might  seem 
irreverent,  such  was  the  simplicity  and  purity 
of  his  sentiments,  that  his  boyish  harangues 
were  entirely  unobjectionable,  even  to  those 
best  qualified  to  judge.  From  the  best  evi- 
dence before  us,  it  appears  that  he  was  con- 
victed of  sin,  and  brought  to  see  the  necessity 
of  salvation,  in  the  fall  of  1832,  through  the 
instrumentality  of  Kev.  G.  Brown.  He  did 
not,  however,  at  this  time,  receive  an  evidence 
of  pardoned  sin.  He  had  a  long  struggle  before 
he  received  this  great  blessing. 

Some  time  after  his  awakening,  he  had  occa- 
sion to  go  a  part  of  a  day's  journey  in  company 
with  Mr.  Barnes  and  a  young  man  who  had 
recently  experienced  a  change  of  heart.  Mr. 
15 


226  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

Barnes  saw  that  William  was  in  great  trouble 
on  account  of  his  spiritual  condition,  and  took 
occasion  to  ride  by  his  side  for  some  distance, 
and  found  that  he  had  difficulty  in  entering  the 
kingdom;  and  after  a  careful  and  critical  in- 
quiry into  his  case,  found  him  hedged  up, 
unable  to  proceed  any  farther. 

Mr.  Barnes  gave  him  such  instruction  as  he 
thought  his  case  required,  believing  that  he 
only  needed  faith  to  claim  the  promise,  and 
then  left  him  to  reflect,  and  make  another 
effort,  which  he  did ;  and  the  Saviour  accepted 
and  blessed  him  on  the  road. 

This  happy  intelligence  he  communicated 
to  his  young  companion  after  he  had  retired  to 
bed.  He  was  now  enabled  to  rejoice  in  a  sin- 
pardoning  God,  and  to  say  with  a  heart  over- 
flowing with  joy,  ''Whereas  I  was  blind,  I  now 
see."  After  this  glorious  change  had  taken 
place  in  his  soul,  he  was  not  in  haste  to  unite 
with  the  church,  but  spent  several  months  in 
the  examination  of  creeds  and  confessions  of 
faith,  and  comparing  them  with  the  Scriptures. 

He  appeared  to  have  a  desire  to  unite  with 
the  Presbyterian  church,  the  church  to  which 
his  loved  mother  belonged  in  her  life-time,  if 
he  could  reconcile  its  doctrines  with  his  convic- 
tions  of  truth.      After   a  careful  examination 


HIS  CONVERSION.  2^7 

of  the  doctrines  and  usages  of  the  various 
churches,  he  came  to  the  determination  to  unite 
with  the  Methodist  Protestant  church. 

Finally,  he  attended  a  meeting  conducted  by 
Eev.  Mr.  Dunlevey,  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church,  and  at  the  close  of  his  sermon,  an  invi- 
tation being  given  for  persons  to  unite  with  the 
church,  he  came  forward  and  presented  himself 
as  a  candidate  for  membership,  and  was  re- 
ceived as  a  probationer,  with  the  confidence  of 
his  friends  that  he  would  be  a  valuable  acquisi- 
tion to  the  cause  of  Christ.  After  havino^  taken 
these  important  steps  as  a  Christian  soldier,  he 
was  in  due  time  received  into  the  church  in  full 
connection. 


228  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Mental  Conflicts— Preparation  for  the  Ministry— Enters  Green  Acad- 
emy— Failure  of  Health — Licensed  to  Preach — Recommended  to  the 
Pittsburgh  Annual  Conference — Assistant  on  Washington  Circuit — 
Peculiar  Mental  Difficulty — Returns  Home  greatly  discouraged- 
Mental  Condicts. 


WE  now  see  this  young  man,  of  whom  we 
write,  fully  identified  with  the  people 
of  God,  and  on  his  way  to  the  promised  rest. 
His  trials  did  not  end  here.  He  was  called  to 
endure  a  severe  mental  struggle.  His  mind 
was  troubled  on  account  of  the  strong  impres- 
sion upon  bis  soul  that  he  ought  to  become  a 
minister  of  Jesus  Christ.  This  impression,  in 
connection  with  a  sense  of  personal  unfitness 
for  the  w^ork,  was  a  source  of  great  mental 
suffering.  Finally,  after  as  great  a  conflict  of 
mind,  perhaps,  as  any  young  man  ever  passed 
through,  he  ventured  to  mention  the  subject  of 
his  impressions  to  his  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Dunle- 
vey,  a  minister  ever  ready  to  assist  and  sympa- 
thize with  those  in  trouble. 

Before   leaving    the   circuit,    Mr.    Dunlevey 
communicated  the  information  he  had  received 


PREPAEATION  FOR  THE  MINISTRY.         229 

to  Mr.  Barnes,  the  old  preceptor  and  confident 
of  Mr.  Dunlap.  The  young  man  was  encour- 
aged, and  after  making  the  subject  of  his  men- 
tal conflict  a  matter  of  earnest  prayer,  and  con- 
sultation with  judicious  friends,  he  resolved  so 
far  to  regard  the  voice  of  the  Spirit  as  to  make 
an  effort  to  improve  his  education,  so  as  to  be 
better  qualified  to  enter  upon  the  great  work 
to  which  God  had  evidently  called  him. 

He  accordingly  arranged  his  temporalities, 
and  entered  Green  Academy,  an  institution  of 
some  prominence  at  that  day.  When  once 
within  the  walls  of  that  institution,  he  bent  all 
his  energies  to  the  work  of  mental  improve- 
ment. His  mind  was  now  fixed.  He  deter- 
mined that  "  Whatsoever  his  hand  found  to  do, 
he  would  do  it  with  his  might."  The  great 
work  of  the  ministry  was  before  him,  and  he 
must  be  a  workman,  that  ''need  not  be 
ashamed."  His  ardent  desire  for  knowledge 
controlled  his  judgment.  He  overworked  his 
mind,  and  suffered  materially  thereby,  so  that 
it  became  necessary  for  him  to  desist  for  awhile, 
to  recuperate  his  energies,  and  he  then  re- 
turned to  his  mental  toils  within  the  walls  of 
the  Academy.  It  is  highly  probable  that 
the  severity  of  application  to  study  at  this 
period,  resulted  in  that  peculiar  mental  diffi- 


230  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

culty,  under  wliicli  he  labored  in  after  years, 
and  in  all  probability,  in  his  premature  death. 

In  November,  1833,  he  received  license  to 
exhort  on  Monongahela  Circuit,  and  on  the  23d 
of  August,  1834,  he  was  licensed  to  preach  the 
Gospel,  ahd  was  recommended  to  the  Pittsburgh 
Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church,  as  a  suitable  person  for  the  itinerant 
ministry.  In  the  following  September  he  was 
appointed  by  the  stationing  authority  of  the 
Pittsburgh  Conference  as  assistant  to  Rev. 
Wm.  Colledo^e  on  Washincrton  Circuit. 

We  have  already  alluded  to  an  embarrassing 
dif&culty  under  which  he  labored  during  the 
early  part  of  his  ministry.  He  was  overtaken 
by  this  difficulty  while  on  Washington  Circuit. 
AVhen  attending  to  one  of  his  appointments,  he 
was  pursuing  his  subject  in  the  pulpit,  appa- 
rently without  the  least  sign  of  embarrasment, 
when  suddenly  a  cloud  fell  upon  his  under- 
standing and  memory,  so  that  he  w^as  utterly 
unable  to  proceed  any  further.  This  was  a 
source  of  deep  sorrow  to  his  friends,  and  a 
crushing  affliction  to  the  young  preacher.  It 
is  a  matter  of  regret  that  he  did  not  receive 
that  encouragement  from  his  superintendent 
that  his  afflictive  condition  demanded,  for  he 
was  advised  by  Mr.  Colledge  to  retire  from  the 


DIFFICULTIES.  231 

circuit;  and  some  of  the  officiary  of  the  circuit 
concurring  in  tliis  advice,  he  had  no  alternative 
but  to  do  so.  It  is  probable  that  the  superin- 
tendent and  the  brethren  who  concurred  in  the 
arrangement  to  send  the  young  man  home, 
were  governed  by  their  convictions'  of  pro- 
priety ;  but  little  did  they  think  that  by  their 
imprudence  they  were  driving  almost  to  dis- 
traction one  of  the  most  valuable  young  men 
of  the  age.  The  sensations  of  young  Dunlap 
on  this  occasion  were  almost  beyond  endur- 
ance, for  he  was  naturally  of  an  extremely 
sensitive  construction.  So,  after  remaining  on 
the  circuit  about  two  months,  he  returned 
home  with  a  sad  heart.  From  the  foregoing 
statement  we  draw  the  following  inference. 
Good  men  are  found  in  the  ministry  who 
appear  to  be  utterly  disqualified  for  the  exer- 
cise of  that  practical  sympathy  and  encourage- 
ment which  the  cases  of  young  and  inexperi- 
enced ministers  sometimes  require.  From  the 
position  occupied  by  Mr.  Colledge  at  the  time 
of  which  we  write,  and  his  subsequent  career, 
we  infer  that  he  was  a  man  of  considerable 
ministerial  ability  and  moral  worth.  He  was 
an  itinerant  minister  in  the  Methodist  Protest- 
ant Church  about  five  years,  and  then  united 
with  the  Presbyterian  church,  and,  as  far  as  we 


2o2  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

Ivjiow,  remained  an  efficient  and  useful  minister 
in  that  churcli  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
recently. 

We  have  stated  that  Mr.  Danlap  returned 
home  from  his  circuit  broken  down  in  spirit, 
and  in  addition  to  his  own  mental  sorrow,  he 
found  the  family  of  Mr.  Barnes,  his  old  pre- 
ceptor and  friend,  all  except  Mr.  Barnes,  pros- 
trated by  sickness,  and  some  of  them  danger- 
ously ill.  When  a  suitable  opportunity  oc- 
curred, he  communicated  his  pungent  grief  to 
Mr.  Barnes,  who  tried  to  encourage  him ;  but 
the  young  preacher  reasoned  in  this  way :  "  If 
the  Lord  had  called  him  to  preach,  he  would 
not  hedge  up  his  way."  Some  time  after  this, 
an  appointment  was  made  for  him  in  a  neigh- 
boring church,  where  he  succeeded  well,  and 
subsequently  another  appointment  was  given 
out  for  him.  He  attended  and  performed  the 
preliminary  services,  and  commenced  preach- 
ing, and  while  engaged  in  presenting  the  truths 
of  the  gospel  in  an  animated  and  interesting 
manner  to  his  audience,  suddenly  a  cloud  came 
over  his  intellect,  and  so  completely  was  he 
overcome  that  he  was  unable  to  call  on  any 
one  to  close  by  prayer  or  otherwise. 

After    the   congregation    dispersed,    he   ad- 
dressed Mr.  Barnes  in  the  following  manner: 


MENTAL  CONFLICTS.  233 

''  I  suppose,  now  you  will  agree  with  me,  that 
it  is  best  for  me  to  desist  from  preaching,  as 
you  have  witnessed  a  specimen  of  my  diffi- 
culty." After  spending  some  weeks  at  home, 
he  concluded  to  make  an  another  effort  in  the 
vineyard  of  the  Lord.  He  loved  the  work,  and 
desired  to  be  engaged  in  it,  and  he  could  not 
be  contented  without  making  another  trial. 


234:  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Receives  an  Appointment  as  Assistant  to  Rev.  John  Wilson  on  Mus- 
kingum Circuit — Reflections — Assistant  to  Rev.  P.  T.  Laishley  on 
Middletown  Circuit — Preaches  at  a  Camp-meeting — Appointed  to 
Cambridge  Circuit  with  Rev.  John  Burns — Popularity  as  a  Preacher 
— Rev.  Samuel  Thompson — Appointed  to  the  Superintendency  of 
Monongahela  Circuit  with  Rev.  William  Ross  as  Assistant — Decli- 
ning Health — An  Address  to  the  young  people  at  Shepherd's  Meeting- 
House — Illness — Receives  a  visit  from  Rev.  Asa  Shinn — Affecting 
Interview  between  Messrs.  Shinn  and  Dunlap — Prayer  in  the  Death- 
chamber — Dr.  Laidley — The  last  words  of  Mr.  Dunlap — Quotation — 
Funeral  Sermon  by  Mr.  Shinn — Obituary — Personal  Appearance  of 
Mr.  Dunlap — Moral  Characteristics — Religious  Character — Mr.  Dun- 
lap as  a  Student — Character  as  a  Preacher — Reflections. 

MR.  BARNES,  the  special  friend  of  Mr. 
Dunlap,  retained  an  unabated  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  liis  young  friend,  and  by  con- 
sent of  Mr.  Dunlap  wrote  to  Rev.  Enos  Wood- 
ward, who  was  President  of  the  Pittsburgh 
Annual  Conference  at  that  time,  to  learn  if 
there  was  a  vacancy  in  the  ministerial  ranks 
within  the  bounds  of  the  district. 

Mr.  Woodward  wrote  an  appropriate  and 
courteous  reply,  soliciting  Mr,  Dunlap  to  take 
an  appointment  on  Muskingum  Circuit,  under 
the  Superintendency  of  Rev.  John  Wilson.  He 
complied,  and  found  himself  under  the  care 
of  an  afiectionate  and  kind-hearted  friend,  who 


REFLECTIONS.  235 

did  every  thing  in  his  power  to  encourage  the 
young  brother  on  his  way.  As  far  as  we  can 
learn,  the  difficulty  to  which  we  have  referred 
never  returned  to  Mr.  Danlap  more  than  once 
or  twice  after  this  period. 

Important  lessons  are  taught  in  the  preceding 
history.  It  is  instructive  to  senior  ministers 
who  have  young  preachers  under  their  care  and 
direction.  The  development  and  future  effi- 
ciency of  the  young  minister  depend  much 
upon  the  administrative  course  of  the  senior 
pastor.  It  is  instructive  to  young  ministers. 
The  youthful  divine,  and  all  others,  should 
remember  that  God  has  given  them  mental, 
moral,  and  physical  powers ;  and  in  the  legiti- 
mate use  of  those  powers,  they  may  glorify 
God  in  their  bodies  and  spirits,  which  are  his. 
They  should  remember,  at  the  same  time,  that 
they  make  an  intemperate  use  of  those  powers, 
and  thereb}'  bring  upon  themselves  disease  and 
premature  death.  We  have  no  more  right  to 
pursue  a  course  of  action  that  will  result  in  the 
curtailment  of  our  own  lives,  than  we  have  to 
inflict  an  injury  upon  our  neighbors  ;  and  when 
we  are  so  unfortunate  as  to  do  so,  we  have  no 
right  to  charge  upon  the  Deity  that  which  is 
the  result  of  our  own  imprudence. 

Life  is  a  valuable  possession,  and  the  world 


236  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

is  much  m  need  of  men  and  women  of  moral 
and  mental  worth ;  and  it  is  the  duty  of  every 
Christian  minister  and  every  Christian  layman 
to  live  as  long  as  he  can — to  pursue  that  course 
which,  according  to  his  best  judgment,  will  be 
the  most  efficient  in  the  preservation  of  life.  I 
have  known  young  ministers  who  were  com- 
pelled to  leave  their  pulpits  and  libraries  and 
become  tillers  of  the  soil  to  save  their  lives. 
On  the  other  hand,  some  are  too  idle  to  study, 
and  have  depended  upon  a  little  native  genius 
to  carry  them  through  life,  until  the  rust  of 
mental  inactivity  has  accumulated  upon  them, 
and  they  were  left  in  old  age  minus  every 
thing. 

Beware  of  extremes.  Christianity  does  not 
demand  suicide  at  the  hands  of  its  votaries,  and 
it  is  true  that  laziness  is  a  sin.  Wisdom  per- 
sonified is  represented  as  coming  to  the  sons  of 
men  in  her  most  attractive  form,  bearing  in  her 
hands  two  invaluable  gifts — Listen!  "Length 
of  days  is  in  her  right  hand ;  and  in  her  left, 
riches  and  honorJ^ 

We  think  it  probable  that  the  ardent  thirst 
for  knowledge  of  the  subject  of  this  biography, 
led  him  to  make  too  great  a  sacrifice  for  the 
accomplishment  of  his  object.  It  is  said  that 
from  the  time  of  his  appointment  as  assistant  to 


APPOINTED  TO  CAMBRIDGE  CIRCUIT.       237 

Rev.  Mr.  "Wilson,  tie  made  rapid  improvement. 
At  the  second  session  of  the  Pittsburgh  Annual 
Conference,  held  in  Steubenville,  Ohio,  Septem- 
ber, 1835,  he  was  appointed  to  Middletown 
Circuit,  in  connection  with.  Rev.  P.  T.  Laishley. 
Mr.  Laishley  was  delighted  with  his  assistant, 
and  did  every  thing  in  his  power  to  encourage 
and  help  him  along. 

During  this  year  Mr.  Dunlap  attended  a 
camp-meeting  on  his  native  circuit,  and 
preached  several  sermons,  one  of  which  is 
especially  remembered  still  by  the  old  inhabi- 
tants of  that  region.  It  was  founded  upon 
Matt.  vii.  14,  15.  He  made  many  friends  on 
this  circuit,  and  labored  with  great  acceptabil- 
ity. In  the  fall  of  1836,  he  was  appointed  to 
Cambridge  Circuit,  in  connection  with  Rev. 
John  Burns.  At  this  period  in  his  ministry 
his  ability  in  the  pulpit  was  thought  to  be  con- 
siderably above  mediocrity. 

There  are  persons  living  within  the  bounds 
of  this  circuit  who  still  remember  with  much 
interest  sermons  delivered  by  this  young  man. 
The  writer  of  these  sketches  had  the  pleasure 
of  hearing  a  discourse  from  him  during  that 
year  that  made  an  impression  that  will  never 
be  forgotten.  It  was  a  quarterly  meeting  occa- 
sion, which  was  held  at  the  Pisgah  appoint- 


238  REV.  W.  L.  DUN  LAP. 

mcnt.  The  Superintendent,  Eev.  Mr.  Bums, 
had  to  leave  on  Sabbath  morning  to  attend  to 
a  ministerial  engagement  some  miles  away. 

Previous  to  his  departure,  arrangements 
were  made  for  the  Sabbath.  The  meeting  was 
held  in  a  grove  near  the  church,  and  it  fell  to 
the  lot  of  Mr.  Dunlap  to  preach  at  eleven 
o'clock,  and  it  was  arranged  for  Eev.  Samuel 
Thompson,  an  eloquent  preacher,  to  succeed 
him  in  another  discourse.  After  the  prelimi- 
nary services,  Mr.  Dunlap  announced  the  fol- 
lowing text :  "  And  it  came  to  pass,  that  as  he 
was  come  nigh  unto  Jericho,  a  certain  blind 
man  sat  by  the  way-side  begging :  and  hearing 
the  multitude  pass  by,  he  asked  what  it  meant. 
And  they  told  him,  Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth 
by.  And  he  cried,  saying,  Jesus,  thou  son 
of  David,  have  mercy  on  me." — Luke  xviii. 
85-43.  His  youth  and  comparative  inexperi- 
ence, in  connection  with  the  fact  that  his  effort 
was  to  be  so  soon  succeeded  by  a  minister  of 
age  and  eloquence,  rendered  his  position  some- 
what embarrassing.  He  felt  this,  and  com- 
menced 'by  saying,  ''That  the  congregation 
would  excuse  his  imperfections,  and  he  would 
promise  them  something  better  after  awhile." 
He  presented  a  faithful  analysis  of  the  subject, 
and  pointed  out  the  deplorable  condition  of  the 


SERMON  AT  A  QUARTERLY  MEETING.      239 

spiritually  blind.  How  dark  the  picture !  The 
mind  of  man  was  not  only  dark,  but  grossly 
dark.  Then  the  earnestness  and  persistency  of 
the  truly  penitent  soul!  Blind  Bartimeus 
heard  that  Jesus  was  passing.  He  cried,  say- 
ing, ''  Jesus,  thou  son  of  David,  have  mercy  on 
me."  But  he  was  rebuked,  and  informed  that 
he  should  "  hold  his  peace :"  but  he  cried  so 
much  the  more,  ''Thou  son  of  David,  have 
mercy  on  me."  The  silvery  tones  and  plaintive 
utterances  of  the  preacher  brought  that  great 
mass  of  mind  in  sympathy  with  the  theme. 

The  preacher  said  "  that  he  desired  to  im- 
press upon  his  audience  the  great  truth  that 
Jesus  was  then  passing  by."  It  was  a  beautiful 
autumnal  morning,  and  as  the  above  utterance 
came  from  the  lips  of  the  preacher,  in  soft  and 
mellow  tones,  a  gentle  breeze  fanned  the  brows 
of  the  willing  worshipers,  and  it  was  not  difl&- 
cult  to  believe  that  Jesus  was  in  the  passing 
breeze,  to  comfort  and  heal  the  broken  in  spirit. 
Yery  often,  since  then,  have  I  in  imagination 
seen  the  slight  form  of  the  young  preacher 
standing  upon  the  temporary  platform  in  the 
grove,  and  heard  the  words,  "Jesus  is  now 
passing  by,"  and  have  felt  my  hair  stir  with 
the  gentle  touches  of  the  morning  breeze,  and 
have  felt  in  my  heart,  that  Jesus  was  certainly 


240  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

there,  to  bless  and  comfort  the  penitent  one. 
At  the  close  of  the  sermon,  after  a  brief  inter- 
mission. Rev.  Samuel  Thompson  delivered  a 
soul-stirring  sermon ;  and  as  the  people  arose 
to  leave  the  consecrated  ground,  they  felt  that 
it  was  good  to  be  there. 

A  certain  gentleman  in  conversation  with 
Mr.  Thompson  on  the  evening  of  that  day 
made  the  remark,  that  ''if  the  life  of  the  young 
preacher  whom  they  had  heard,  should  be  pre- 
served, he  would  be  one  of  the  great  men  of 
the  age."  Mr.  Thompson  replied,  "  Great  and 
small  are  relative  terms ;  he  is  great  nowr 
Such  was  the  judgment  of  one  who  was  him- 
self a  man  of  superior  ability.  While  on  this 
circuit,  Mr.  Dunlap  prepared  a  series  of  ser- 
mons on  the  Parables  of  our  Lord.  One  of 
this  series  it  was  the  privilege  of  the  writer  to 
hear.  It  was  the  Parable  of  the  net  cast  into 
the  sea,  and  it  was  a  beautiful  exposition 
of  the  figurative  language  employed,  and  a 
happy  application  of  the  important  truths 
taught,  all  indicating  that  he  was  a  "  workman 
that  need  not  be  ashamed."  After  the  delivery 
of  this  sermon  we  repaired,  with  a  number  of 
friends,  to  the  house  of  a  brother  to  dine,  when 
a  gentleman  present  made  the  following  playful 
remark    to    the  young    preacher,     "Suppose, 


SICKNESS.  241 

BrotTier  Dunlap,  yoa  should  get  the  net  so  full 
as  to  break  it,  what  then?"  "Ah!"  was  the 
reply,  "  we  preach  that  the  net  is  so  strong 
that  it  cannot  break."  This  was  a  pleasant 
and  profitable  year  on  Cambridge  Circuit,  aud 
the  young  preacher  was  favored  with  a  super- 
intendent every  way  qualified  to  encourage  and 
advise,  and  they  loved  and  labored  together  as 
brethren  in  the  Lord. 

In  the  fall  of  1837,  the  Pittsburgh  Confer- 
ence held  its  session  in  Wheeling,  Virginia, 
and  the  representative  from  Monongahela  Cir- 
cuit made  application  for  Mr.  Dunlap,  and  he 
was  appointed  to  the  charge  of  that  circuit, 
with  Rev.  William  Ross  as  assistant,  an  agree- 
able and  promising  young  man.  In  the  early 
part  of  the  winter,  he  rode  a  number  of  miles 
to  an  appointment,  through  a  chilling  rain,  from 
which  he  contracted  a  severe  cold,  termina- 
ating  in  a  fever.  He  lay  at  the  house  of 
a  brother  James,  near  Amity,  Washington 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  had  every 
thino:  done  for  his  comfort  that  could  be  done. 
After  being  confined  to  the  house  several 
weeks,  he  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able 
to  go  home,  with  strong  symptoms  of  pulmo- 
nary disease.  He  remained  home  until  spring, 
And  then  took  charge  of  his  circuit  again.  But 
16 


242  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

it  was  only  for  a  short  time.  It  became  too 
evident  to  his  friends  that  his  lungs  were  seri- 
ously affected.  His  condition  awakened  seri- 
ous thoughts  within  him,  and  he  reasoned  thus: 
"If  the  Lord  had  called  him  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  why  v«ras  it,  that  when  he  was  pre- 
pared to  some  extent  to  be  useful  to  the  church, 
his  health  should  be  taken  away."  He  was  not 
at  this  time  confined  to  his  room,  but  was  able 
to  go  among  his  friends ;  and  when  away  he 
would  sometimes  preach,  notwithstanding  the 
admonitions  of  his  friends  and  physician  to 
desist. 

His  health  gradually  declined  through  the 
summer  and  the  following  winter.  His  last 
pulpit  effort  was  at  the  close  of  a  Quarterly 
Meeting  at  Shepherd's  meeting-house.  This 
effort  was  on  Monday.  He  delivered  a  dis- 
course to  the  young  people  of  the  neighbor- 
hood, for  he  was  now  upon  the  circuit  on  which 
he  was  principally  reared.  He  seemed  to  have 
a  presentiment  that  this  would  be  his  last  pub- 
lic effort,  and  in  his  address  he  reviewed  the 
history  of  his  past  intercourse  with  the  youth 
of  the  neighborhood  for  the  last  ten  years.  A 
gentleman  who  was  present  and  heard  this 
address  writes  as  follows:  "He  believed  that 
this  would   be  his  last  warnings— the  last  he 


LAST    ILLNESS.  243 

ever  would  give  the  people  with  whom  lie  had 
been  acquainted  so  long.  His  appeals  were 
the  most  sublime  that  ever  came  under  my 
hearing.  The  circumstances  under  which  they 
were  given  were  peculiar,  and  I  have  no  doubt 
that  the  recollection  of  them  will  live  in  eter- 
nity. 

''  His  deportment  through  life  had  been  such 
that  all  his  acquaintances,  religious  and  irre- 
ligious, had  confidence  in  him ;  consequently,  he 
made  them  feel  his  eloquent  warnings  in  all  their 
strength  and  importance.  This  was  some  months 
before  his  death.  I  had  many  interesting  con- 
versations with  him  during  his  decline.  When 
he  became  convinced  that  his  health  was  beyond 
the  hope  of  recovery,  he  became  reconciled  to 
the  Providence  that  permitted  the  failure  of  it ; 
and  with  all  that  patience  and  submission 
which  ere  peculiar  to  him,  he  threw  himself 
into  the  Divine  will  with  all  the  confidence  of 
a  child,  believing  that  his  Father  in  Heaven 
knew  what  was  best  to  do,  and  would  certainly 
do  for  him  what  was  for  the  best. 

''  During  the  last  year,  while  his  health  was 
declining,  he  divided  his  time  with  his  brother- 
in-law  (who  was  married  to  his  only  sister), 
Jonah  K.  Wood,  and  James  Barnes,  his  old 
preceptor  and  friend.'* 


24-i  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

A  few  days  before  his  death,  he  made  his 
visit  to  his  brother-in-law's,  at  Carmichael- 
tovvn,  and  at  the  appointed  time,  Mr.  Barnes  sent 
for  him;  but  he  declined  going,  assigning  as  a 
reason  that  he  had  been  engaged  repairing  his 
friend's  clock  to  pass  away  the  time,  and  was 
too  much  fatigued  to  go  that  evening. 

On  the  same  evening  Kev.  Asa  Shinn  called 
at  the  house  of  Mr.  Barnes  for  the  purpose  of 
spending  a  few  days  with  the  family,  and  the 
next  morning  Messrs.  Shinn  and  Barnes  were 
on  their  way  to  Carmichaeltown  to  see  the 
dying  minister.  While  on  the  way  they  met 
a  messenger  bearing  the  tidings  that  Mr. 
Dunlap  had  risen  that  morning,  and  dressed 
himself,  apparently  as  comfortable  as  usual, 
but  was  able  to  remain  up  but  for  a  short 
time.  Expectoration  had  ceased,  and  he  was 
sinking  rapidly.  They  hastened  to  see  him, 
and  when  they  entered  the  chamber,  Mr.  Dun- 
lap  reached  out  his  hand  to  Mr.  Shinn,  and 
said,  ''Father  Shinn,  I  am  glad  you  have 
come,  to  help  me  to  pray  the  Lord  to  come, 
and  come  quickly."  Mr.  Shinn  had  often  met 
Mr.  Dunlap  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Barnes,  and 
had  formed  not  only  a  personal  acquaintance 
with  him,  but  a  strong  love  and  attachment 
for  him. 


PKAYER  IN  THE  DEATH-CHAMBER.        245 

When  Mr.  Shinn  saw  the  emaciated  form  of 
bis  young  friend,  and  the  unmistakable  eviden- 
ces of  a  speedy  dissolution,  he  was  deeply 
moved;  so  much  so  that  it  was  some  time 
before  he  could  control  himself  sufficiently  to 
converse  with  him.  After  his  mind  had 
become  somewhat  composed,  he  read  an  appro- 
priate chapter,  and  commented  upon  it  in  a 
touching  manner. 

He  then  addressed  the  Throne  of  Grace  in 
a  very  fervent  and  impressive  appeal,  the 
dying  man  entering  fully  into  the  spirit  of  the 
petition.  What  a  beautiful  scene !  A  scene 
that  might  challenge  the  genius  of  a  painter. 
The  sweet-spirited  Shinn,  one  of  the  brightest 
lights  of  the  American  pulpit,  sitting  by  the 
side  of  a  dying  minister,  with  an  opcD  Bible 
upon  his  knees,  reading  from  God's  Word, 
words  of  encouragement,  and  commenting  upon 
them ! 

The  dying  preacher  listens  to  catch  the 
inspii^ed  words,  and  the  appropriate  exposition 
of  them ;  and  then  the  prayer  ascending  from 
that  sick  room — so  soon  to  be  the  chamber  of 
death — ascending  to  God  in  behalf  of  the 
youthful  pi'ophet!  This  scene  occurred  on 
the  morning  of  the  day  on  which  Mr.  Dunlap 
died.     It  is  now  high-noon,  and  it  is  evident 


246  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

to  his  friends  that  the  "last  enemy,  which  is 
death,"  is  gaining  the  victory. 

Though  gradually  sinking  through  the  day, 
he  displayed  much  calmness,  answering  any 
question  with  great  composure.  A  short  time 
before  the  closing  scene,  Dr.  Laidley,  who  had 
administered  to  trim  occasionally,  called  to  see 
him,  and  asked  him  if  he  still  retained  his 
confidence  in  God.  His  reply  was,  "O  yes! 
victory,  victory  through  Jesus."  These  were 
his  last  words.  A  friend  who  was  present 
and  witnessed  this  death-scene,  thus  writes: 
"  On  the  23d  of  May,  1839,  before  the  golden 
sun  had  retired  to  his  rest,  the  spirit  of  one  of 
the  most  amiable  and  exemplary  young  men 
of  any  age  or  community  was  called  to  reap 
his  reward  in  the  midst  of  usefulness. 

"  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  twenty-six 
years  and  seventeen  days  old.  He  passed  away 
greatly  beloved  by  all.  It  would  seem  strange 
that  the  Lord  should  call  so  extraordinary  a 
young  man  from  labor,  possessed  of  so  great  a 
degree  of  meekness,  and  whose  life  was  beyond 
reproach.  He  was  a  man  of  good  natural 
capacities,  and  well  cultivated  mind.  I  have 
no  doubt  that  futurity  will  be  required  to  com- 
prehend it  fully." 

On   the   day   succeeding    the   death    of  Mr. 


CHARACTERISTICS.  247 

Dunlap,  Mr.  Shinn,  tliougli  not  very  favorable 
to  the  practice  of  preaching  funeral  sermons^ 
consented  to  serve  on  this  occasion,  and  said 
that  "  he  could,  without  difficulty,  speak  favor- 
ably of  the  character  of  the  dead."  He  selected 
his  text  from  Psalm  xxxvii.  37,  and  in  the 
course  of  his  sermon  observed  that  ''  he  thought 
the  person  whose  remains  lay  before  them, 
came  as  near  the  character  described  by  the 
Psalmist  as  any  young  man  he  ever  knew, — 
his  end  was  almost  literally  fulfilled  in  peace." 
The  remains  of  Mr.  Dunlap  were  deposited  in 
the  cemetery  at  Carmichaeltown,  where  a  suita- 
ble monument  marks  the  spot. 

Personal  'presence. — The  personal  appearance 
of  Mr.  Dunlap  would  not  be  considered  com- 
manding by  lovers  of  a  stately  form.  *At  this 
distance  of  time  we  see  him  presenting  a  form 
not  more  than  five  feet,  eight  inches  high, 
straight,  and  slightly  built,  blue  eyes,  fair  com- 
plexion, and  active  movement. 

Moral  characteristics. — It  was  a  source  of 
great  pleasure  to  him  to  see  others  happy,  and 
he  was  ever  in  sympathy  with  the  suffering. 
He  could  "weep  with  those  who  wept,"  and 
"  rejoice  with  those  who  rejoiced."  He  believed 
that  God  intended  every  living  creature  to  be 
happy.     It  was,  therefore,  a  pleasure  to  him  to 


248  REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP. 

listen  to  the  songs  of  the  birds,  and  to  witness 
the  gambols  of  the  flocks  of  the  field.  Cruelty 
to  animals  he  regarded  as  a  great  sin. 

Religious  character. — This  was  deep  and  ear- 
nest. He  was  ever  seeking  higher  attainments 
in  th-e  divine  life.  I  remember  the  following 
•utterance  in  a  society  meeting :  "  When  I  first 
gave  my  heart  to  the  Lord  it  was  my  purpose 
to  go  on  to  perfection ;  holiness  was  then  my 
object — holiness  is  still  my  object."  Hfs  reli- 
gious character  gave  his  naturally  amiable 
disposition  a  tinge  of  unearthly  beauty,  that 
rendered  his  presence  a  power  in  the  pulpit  and 
parlor. 

As  a  Student. — He  was  assiduous,  earnest  and 
critical,  a  lover  of  books,  and  a  lover  of  nature. 
If  Hugh  Miller  could  find  "sermons  in  stones," 
our  young  student  could  see  in  the  frame-work 
of  a  leaf,  the  tints  of  a  rose,  and  in  the  silver- 
white  drops  of  the  meandering  brook,  an  evi- 
dence of  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of  God.  He 
could  hear  the  voice  of  Jehovah  in  the  distant 
thunder,  and  see  the  flashing  of  his  eye  in  the 
lightning's  glare  ;  and  as  he  listens  in  imagina- 
tion to  the  strains  of  music  floating  out  and 
away  upon  the  evening  air  from  the  harp  of 
the  Shepherd  king,  he  would  turn,  at  nature's 
bidding,   to   listen    to    the    linnet's    song,    or 


REV.  W.  L.  DUNLAP.  249 

the  music  of  the  moaning  wind.  "We  have 
said  that  he  was  a  lover  of  books  and  studied 
them  well;  but  the  Bible  was  his  text-book, 
and  upon  its  pages  he  loved  to  linger. 

Some  time  before  his  death  he  expressed  a 
desire  that  his  library  be  retained  upon  the 
circuit  on  which  he  died,  for  the  use  of  the 
preachers  who  might  be  appointed  there  from 
time  to  time. 

Character  as  a  Preacher. — In  this  connection 
every  one  has  his  own  ideal.  Look  for  a 
moment  at  the  slight  form  of  Mr.  Dunlap 
in  the  pulpit.  There  is  nothing  uncommon 
the  the  reading  of  the  hymn.  The  intro- 
ductory prayer  is  an  earnest,  unirnpassioned 
petition  at  the  Throne  of  Grace.  You  believe 
that  he  is  talking  to  God.  When  he  rises  to 
announce  his  text,  he  stands  erect,  and  his 
manner  is  entirely  free  from  embarrassment. 
There  is  an  humble  dignity  of  manner,  and  a 
consciousness  that  he  is  in  the  presence  of  God, 
and  about  to  address  dying  men.  He  reads 
his  text,  and  all  hear  it,  for  his  enunciation  is 
remarkably  distinct.  His  plan  is  simple,  and 
his  points  clearly  stated ;  all  understand  him. 
He  has  not  a  voice  of  great  power,  but  of 
unusual  compass  on  account  of  the  distinctive- 
ness of  his  utterance.     There  is  a  slight  trem- 


250  CONCLUSION. 

ulousness  in  its  tones,  and  a  silvery  smoothnesg 
as  he  glides  along  under  the  influence  of  in- 
creasing emotion. 

His  words  are  simple  and  strong,  and  his 
whole  performance  remarkably  chaste.  His 
thoughts  are  beautifully  connected,  and  there 
is  a  regular  gradation  of  thought  and  emo- 
tion until  he  reaches  the  zenith  of  his  power 
and  then  it  is  impossible  to  get  away  from 
the  fascinating  charm  of  his  simple  eloquence, 
even  if  you  would. 

The  light  reflected  from  this  beautiful  mind 
was  not  like  the  lurid  glare  of  the  comet,  but 
like  the  clear  light  reflected  from  the  evening 
star,  falling  with  gentle  power  upon  human 
hearts,  awakening  in  the  souls  of  willing  wor- 
shipers a  desire  to  be  more  like  the  Friend  and 
Saviour  of  the  world.  Shine  on,  thou  beauti- 
ful star,  in  thy  home  of  purity  and  love,  and 
may  the  reader  and  writer  of  these  pages  be 
permitted  to  meet  thee  there!     Amen! 


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